Largent
A surname that likely began as a French or English variant of Argent, meaning “silver,” though its exact pathway is not fully certain.
The #8,333 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 77,691 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Largent is most plausibly connected with the word Argent, from Old French and ultimately Latin argentum, meaning “silver.” In surname use, this kind of name often began as a nickname or as an occupational label for someone associated with silver, money, or silver-colored objects. The initial L- may reflect a regional pronunciation, spelling variant, or later alteration of Argent rather than a wholly separate root.
History
The name is relatively uncommon, and the historical record suggests it belongs to a broad family of surnames built on words for precious metals and money. The 1898 source groups Largent with other silver-related surnames, supporting a connection with Argent. In modern usage it appears mainly in the United States, likely reflecting later migration and spelling stabilization from older British or French forms.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
It sits in the same surname neighborhood as names like Gold, Silver, and Argent—literally a “precious metal” family of surnames.
From the historical record
“Solder, Sodder, Pinchbeck, Bullion, ^ngot, - Gold, Puregold, Finegold, Newgold, Greengold, Goldbar, Golddust, Goldleaf, Readygold, - Silver, Finesilver, Siller, Argent, Largent, Quicksilver, Silverleaf, Silverine, Silvergold, Silverslag, - Specie, Money, Cash, Coin, Coins, Treasure, - Greenback, Goldback…”
— A Grammar of American Surnames