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The name Hoarau, you have definitely heard of it, especially if like me you follow French football a bit or if you have an interest in La Réunion. It’s a name that often rings out, with that little accent, that melodic sound… I have always wondered where exactly it came from and what it could really mean. As if it were a well-kept secret.
Diving a little deeper, I discovered that this name is very widespread in La Réunion. Which, you will admit, is not so common when you know the particular history of this island. It is a true marker of this region. But then, what is its origin? It’s not so simple to say, as often happens.
And then, Hoarau is above all a name that has crossed the oceans thanks to figures like Guillaume Hoarau, this striker who exploded in Ligue 1 and in Switzerland. Maybe you have seen his exploits in the Champions League or in the Europa League? In short, this name is a living story, not just a label.
What’s cool is that behind this name, there is a whole family history, French and colonial roots that deserve a little attention. And honestly, I found it fascinating to connect pieces of life to this very particular name.
So, if you have a Hoarau in your circle or in your family tree, hold on, we’re off for a little journey to the heart of the name Hoarau!
What is the origin and meaning of the last name Hoarau?
So, about the origin of the name Hoarau, we immediately know that it is very linked to La Réunion, this French island in the Indian Ocean. This name would be attributed to the first French settlers established there, since around 1665. But the story doesn’t stop there… The name probably has roots in the northwest of France, in Brittany or Normandy, regions from which many first settlers would have left the mainland to venture overseas.
Hoarau is a bit like a footprint of this colonial migration. The original language remains French, but there is surely also an influence of regional dialects, a bit Breton or Norman, and perhaps even phonetic changes over time and cultural mixing in La Réunion. In short, it is a name that tells of a migration, roots, and a complex history.
The meaning of the last name Hoarau, what it signifies
Now, hold on, because it is not 100% clear, but several linguists think that “Hoarau” could come from an old form of a first name or a regional term designating a place or a natural characteristic. Some see a link to an old Breton or Norman word, which could evoke notions like stone, rock, or even a rocky place.
Basically, we might be facing a toponymic name, like many French names, designating a specific place. But it has remained quite vague, because in old archives, this name has taken on different spellings that blur the tracks a bit. There is also the possibility that it has a root linked to a local gentilic, which evolved over the centuries.
Well, this is just a hypothesis, you know, but I admit that this idea of a name evoking territory, nature, fits well with the image we have of the first settlers who named lands according to their environment.
A geographical journey with Hoarau
In France, this name is not very common, but in La Réunion it clearly explodes, it is an emblematic name of the island. I bet that at your place, if someone is named Hoarau, there is a chance they have ties to this region. It is really there that you have to look for the essentials. We also find some Hoarau in the mainland, but much less, often descendants or families originating from La Réunion.
And then, if you look in the records, this name is sometimes also found in other former French colonies like Mauritius or Madagascar, which clearly shows how migrations have perpetuated this last name in the Indian Ocean. Fascinating, isn’t it?
Variants and spellings of the name Hoarau
You would be surprised to see all the graphic variants I have seen for Hoarau. In old documents, it can sometimes be written “Houarau” or even “Hoarran”, a bit depending on the hand of the scribe of the moment. But honestly, the form “Hoarau” has become the most stable and obviously the most well-known in La Réunion.
Obviously, this is not a name that comes with complicated accents or additions like some foreign names. No, here we have rather a simple and elegant version, respecting a clear and melodic pronunciation. I suppose that’s also what contributes to its popularity.
Do you know Guillaume Hoarau? A first name that makes football vibrate
Impossible to talk about the name Hoarau without mentioning Guillaume Hoarau, this legend of Reunionese and French football. Born in 1984 in Saint-Louis, La Réunion, Guillaume made stadiums vibrate from Le Havre to Paris Saint-Germain, then in Switzerland with Young Boys Bern where he truly found the spotlight again. Not only did he shine in Ligue 1, but he also proved decisive in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.
His career is quite an example of determination. He started in his local club, Jeunesse Sportive Saint-Pierroise, before establishing himself in mainland France. His striker skills, his heading game, and his precise right foot marked many wild football evenings. In short, Hoarau is a name that resonates strongly in the world of French sports.
This career, full of highs, some lows related to injuries, but always driven by immense passion, has made this name known far beyond La Réunion. It’s nice to see a first name and a last name make their mark like that, isn’t it?
A name to dig into your genealogical research
If you have Hoarau in your family tree, my advice would be to first explore La Réunion. The island’s archives are full of information on founding families, and the name is well documented there. Then, searching the French records, especially in Brittany or Normandy, can give clues about ancestors present there long before arrival in La Réunion.
I know that some descendants have been lucky to find old correspondences, and this can obviously extend to the former French colonies in the Indian Ocean for a more complete family history. A genealogical adventure that is far from lacking in interest!
Some figures on the last name Hoarau
In 2025, if you type “Hoarau” in genealogical or name databases, you will notice that this name remains quite rare outside La Réunion. On this island, however, it is among the most frequent last names, almost a local symbol. It is remarkable that despite this strong Reunionese presence, the Hoarau diaspora in mainland France does not exceed a modest number.
I have also recently come across studies showing a slight tendency to a small increase of the name in large French cities, probably because of recent internal migrations. That’s the name’s dynamic today, not bad when you think about a name born in such a unique corner of the world.
Some ideas to get started discovering the name Hoarau
- 📜 Start by consulting the parish and civil status registers of La Réunion, especially Saint-Louis where the name is very established.
- 🌍 Explore the French online archives to find original documents, especially in Brittany and Normandy.
- ⚽ Dive into the history of local football, especially the archives of the club Jeunesse Sportive Saint-Pierroise for a lively context.
- 📚 Look for books and articles on French colonizations in the Indian Ocean to better understand the historical context of the name.
- 🧬 Consider a geographic DNA test that could link you to a specific regional community in Brittany or Normandy.
