| ![Show Contents]() Despain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 France The French name Despain first arose during the Medieval period in the peninsula of Brittany. It is derived from when the family having lived in Bretagne. Early Origins of the Despain familyThe surname DeSpain was first found in Britanny (Bretagne). Early History of the Despain familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Despain research. Another 33 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1655, 1712, 1720, 1737, 1792, 1795, 1797, 1806, 1807, 1812, 1814, 1818, 1841 and 1860 are included under the topic Early Despain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Despain Spelling VariationsOne can encounter great variation in the spelling of French surnames; in part, as spelling, and the spelling names was not yet standardized during the early development of the written French language. Later, there was much branching and movement of families, and spellings would change according to region. Variations of the name Despain include Despins, Despinay, Despinoy, Despine, Despineul, Déspineul, Despiney and many more. Early Notables of the Despain familyNotable amongst this name at this time was Jean-Baptiste Despine, who was embassy secretary at the Utrecht Congress in 1712 and secretary of King Victor Amédée II in 1720; Joseph Despine, born in Chatelard in 1737, became a doctor; Hyacinthe-Francois-Joseph Des Pinoy was a count, general, and was a lieutenant during the Revolution; Emmanuel Des Pinoy was, in 1795, aide-de-camp and captain, and, in 1841, lieutenant-colonel; Felix Despiney was a doctor around 1797; Charles-Marie-Joseph Despine, born in 1792, became director of the Mining School in Moutiers; Jacob-Marc Despine was a politician and religious individual and became...
Another 96 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Despain Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Despain RankingIn the United States, the name Despain is the 7,987th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1
 DeSpain migration to the United States | + |
French settlers came early to North American, following in the wake of the explorers, and creating New France. Quebec City, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain is said to have been the first American site founded as a permanent settlement, rather than as just a commercial outpost. But emigration was slow, in 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 French people in Quebec, and by 1663, when the region was officially made The Royal Colony of New France, by Louis XIV, there still only around 500 settlers. Over 2,000 would arrive during the next decade. Early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. Youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted immigrants, both noble and commoner from France. By 1675, there were around 7000 French in the colony, and by that same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. Despite the loss of the Colony to England, the French people flourished in Lower Canada. Among settlers to North America of the Despain surname were
Despain Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Emile DeSpain, aged 47, who settled in America, in 1908
- George DeSpain, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States, in 1919
- Otto Francis Despain, aged 35, who landed in America, in 1924
| Contemporary Notables of the name DeSpain (post 1700) | + |
- Bree Despain (b. 1979), American author of young adult fiction, best known for her works The Dark Divine, The Lost Saint and Savage Grace
- W. A. DeSpain, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives from Shannon County, 1931-32 2
- Michelle Despain Hoeger (b. 1984), Argentine-born, American luge athlete who competed in the 2006 Winter
- Dr. Don Gardner Despain (b. 1940), American botanist and plant ecologist who specialized in the flora of Yellowstone National Park
- Dave Despain (b. 1946), American motor sports journalist
- Michelle Despain Hoeger (b. 1984), Argentine-born, American luge athlete who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics
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DeSpain migration to the United States 
