danneau

Danneau is a surname of French origin. The precise origin is not definitively established, but onomastic analyses typically classify it as either toponymic—derived from a place name of the same form—or patronymic, linked to the given name Daniel with the -eau suffix common in French surname formation. In either case, the form Danneau fits within patterns where the suffix indicates relational or locational meaning, such as “from Danneau” or “son of Daniel,” depending on family history.

Geographic distribution shows the name is most commonly found in France, with regional concentrations in northern and eastern areas. Through migration, Danneau has also become established in other French-speaking regions, notably Belgium, Canada (especially Quebec), and Switzerland, where it appears in civil and ecclesiastical records from the modern era.

There are relatively few established variants of the spelling, and records generally preserve the form Danneau in standard French orthography. The surname is relatively uncommon and tends to appear in regional genealogical and historical sources rather than in broad national summaries.

See also: French surnames, toponymic and patronymic surname etymologies.