Vaux

Vaux is a toponym and surname of French origin. In toponymy, Vaux (plural vaux) denotes a valley or valleys. It derives from Old French vau or vaux, from Latin vallis. The name was used for places located in valleys or near hollows, and it has persisted in many geographic names in France.

There are numerous communes and localities bearing Vaux as all or part of their name across France. In many cases Vaux appears as a standalone commune, and in others it is the first element of a compound name that specifies a nearby feature or neighboring municipality. The spelling variants Vaulx and Valx appear in historical records and in related toponymy, reflecting regional pronunciations and orthographic shifts.

As a surname, Vaux originated from people who lived in or originated from a place named Vaux. It occurs in French records and has spread to other regions through migration and diaspora. The name is found among historical and contemporary figures, though it does not denote a single lineage.

See also: Vaulx, Vallis, Val, Vauxhall.