Marillac

Marillac is a surname of French origin, derived from a place name. It is believed to refer to a location associated with the name 'Mary' (Marie in French) or a specific estate. The 'lac' component often refers to a lake or a place name ending in '-ac', which is common in certain regions of France and often indicates a Gallo-Roman origin, meaning 'place of' or 'estate of'. The name gained some recognition through Saint Louise de Marillac, a prominent figure in Catholic history.

As a given name, Marillac is quite rare and is almost exclusively used in honor of Saint Louise de Marillac. Its usage as a first name is primarily found in Catholic communities, particularly those with a devotion to the saint or an association with the Daughters of Charity, the religious congregation she co-founded. It carries a strong religious and historical connotation.