Rasset History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

Of all the French names to come from that northwestern peninsula of France known as Brittany, Rasset is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Brittany. The surname Rasset was a also common occupational name for a grower of root vegetables. Interestingly, the name Rasset was originally from the Old French word "racin," meaning "root."

Early Origins of the Rasset family

The surname Rasset was first found in Brittany (French: Bretagne) where they held a family seat in the seigneurie of Galisson, where they were members of the ancient aristocracy of that region.

Étienne Racine, born in 1607, son of René and Marie (née Loysel), travelled from Normandy to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Marguerite Martin, daughter of Abraham and Marguerite (née Langlois), on 22nd May 1638. They remained together in Quebec until Marguerite's death at Château-Richer on 25th November 1679. Étienne passed away at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré on 24th April 1689. 1

Early History of the Rasset family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rasset research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1639, 1692, 1699 and 1763 are included under the topic Early Rasset History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rasset Spelling Variations

There were a great number of spelling variations in French surnames. One reason for this was the wide variety of cultural influences present in France during the early development of the French language. The many spelling variations of the name include Racine, Racinne, Racina, Racinna, Racineux, Racinet, Racinnet, Racineau, Racinneau, Racineu and many more.

Early Notables of the Rasset family

More information is included under the topic Early Rasset Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rasset migration to Canada +

France was active as a cultural leader in the early 16th century. One particular area in which they lead was the exploration of the New World. The explorers, like Jacques Cartier in 1534, led the way to North America. Champlain, in 1608, made the first of twenty voyages to France to attract settlers and brought the first migrant in 1617. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec, and the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Rasset has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Rasset were

Rasset Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Jean Rasset, son of Pierre and Jeanne, who married Jeanne Chappeau, daughter of Pierre and Marie, in Quebec on 21st November 1678 2

Rasset Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Pierre Rasset, son of Jean and Jeanne, who married Marie Gaboury, daughter of Antoine and Jeanne, in Saint-Augustin, Quebec on 25th January 1713 2
Jean-Baptiste Rasset, son of Jean and Jeanne, who married Marie-Anne Caron, daughter of Vital and Marguerite, in Quebec on 5t hAugust 1715 2
Antoine Rasset, son of Jean and Jeanne, who married Jeanne Nolin, daughter of Jacques and Françoise, in Saint-Pierre-de-l'île-d'Orléans, Quebec on 1st November 1722 2
Romain Rasset, son of Jean and Jeanne, who married Marie-Anne Cloutier, daughter of Jean-Baptiste and Anne, in Château-Richer, Quebec on 12th November 1731 2
Philippe Rasset, son of Jean and Jeanne, who married Catherine Simard, daughter of Pierre and Claire, in Château-Richer, Quebec on 22nd October 1736 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.