Someone with the last name of...?

Question

Someone with the last name of Simmoneau would be assumed to be of what ethnicity?

Answer 1

Never assume a name indicates ethnicity.  It is completely possible that persons who are African American from Louisiana might have this name.  It also can be possible that someone carries this name, due to a step parent adoption or such, several generations ago.

The name itself may come from France (it does), but that does not automatically mean someone of this name, actually has French ancestry.

Answer 2

I would assume French.

However, after living in Louisiana for some time, I've found that many with that surname don't call themselves French.  They prefer Acadian or Cajun (which are actually decendants of French colonists).

Wendy, I should have elaborated.  I am well aware of the fact that the last name doesn't indicate FULL ethnicity.  However, that being said, there are many African American Cajuns (many decendents of Pierre Thibadeau (Thibodeaux) who reside in Louisiana.  They are French and they are African American.

The NAME Simmoneau is of French origin.  Perhaps I should have read the question a bit more closely before assuming what the author was trying to ask.  Thanks for bringing that faux pas to my attention.

Answer 3

This is different from each nation.

Answer 4

French. The "eau" is very French sounding.