Chaput

Chaput is a French surname with occupational origins, derived from a diminutive of the Old French word chape meaning "cloak, hood." The name therefore referred to a person who made, sold, or frequently wore cloaks or hoods. This aligns with the common pattern of French occupational surnames formed from garment-related terms, such as McCabe (from Irish mac Cába, "son of a cape") or Italian Capello (from cappello, "hat").

Notable Bearers

Several notable individuals have borne the surname Chaput, particularly in Canadian and American contexts. In Canada, the name is associated with Jean Marc Chaput (1910–1974), a politician; Marcel Chaput (1918–1991), also a politician; Maria Chaput (born 1942), a Canadian senator; and Solange Chaput-Rolland (1919–2001), a journalist, writer, and senator. In the United States, Charles J. Chaput (born 1944) served as Roman Catholic archbishop of Philadelphia from 2011 to 2019, having previously led the Dioceses of Rapid City and Denver. The surname also appears in sports, with Michael Chaput (born 1992) and Stefan Chaput (born 1988) both being Canadian professional hockey players. Other historic figures include French surgeon Henri Chaput (1857–1919) and World War I flying ace Jean Chaput (1893–1918).

Distribution and Variants

The surname Chaput remains most common in France, particularly in the historic regions of Auvergne and Limousin, with significant diaspora populations in Canada (especially Quebec) and the United States. Variants in other languages include the Irish and Scottish forms Mac Cába and MacCàba, which led to the anglicized McCabe. The underlying occupational theme—garment-related items—recurs across European surname traditions, reflecting a shared historical preoccupation with apparel production and trade.

• Meaning: From a diminutive of Old French chape meaning "cloak, hood"
• Origin: French
• Type: Occupational surname
• Usage regions: France, Canada, United States