Lemay Family Crest and Name History

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Lemay PDF Surname History


The Ancient History Of The Distinguished Surname Lemay

Lemay

Contents

Lemay history with Lemay Family Crest
Surname Notables

About Family Crests

Lemay Products

Origins Available: French, German

Where did the French Lemay family come from? What is the French coat of arms/family crest? When did the Lemay family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The Lemay family name dates back to the time of Medieval France. It comes from an early member of the family from Normandy who was a person born in the month of May. A May birth was considered lucky as the month was a festive time in which the beginning of the growing season was celebrated.

French surnames were subject to numerous alterations in spelling because of the various cultural groups that inhabited specific regions. Eventually, each region possessed its own local dialect of the French Language. The early development of the French Language, however, was also influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Lemay is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include LeMay, Lemay, Lemais, Lemaise, Lemmais, Lemmaise, Lemaises, Lemet, Lemez, Lemait, Lemaits, Dumay, Dumais, Dumez and many more.

First found in Normandy, where the family anciently resided at Leme, a village in the department of l'Aisne, in the arrondisement of Vervins. By the 12th century the family name also moved south to Aquitaine and Languedoc. A branch was formed in Anjou at Poitiers.

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year 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 Lemay 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 Lemay were Lewis Dumay arrived in Philadelphia in 1811.

For more information on the last name Lemay, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

Some noteworthy people of the name Lemay

General Curtis Emerson Lemay (1906-1990), General in the American Air Force and the vice presidential running mate of independent candidate George C. Wallace in 1968
Alan LeMay (1899-1964), American Writer and movie Director
Danielle Lemay, Canadian Psychologist, Quebec City
Lynda Lemay (b. 1966), Canadian singer/songwriter from Quebec

Tell Me More About Family Crests

Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist

We have researched the Lemay family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline

Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements

In the Lemay coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate

We encourage you to study the Lemay genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Lemay Family Crest Products

Anniversary

Anniversary products for the name Lemay.

Apparel

Apparel emphasing the family crest for the name Lemay.

Armorial histories

Armorial histories for the name Lemay.

Ceramics

Ceramics displaying the family crest for the name Lemay.

Clip art

Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.

Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms for the name Lemay.

Downloads

Downloads with the coat of arms for the name Lemay.

Family Crest

Family Crest for the name Lemay.

Family Tree

Family Tree with the family crest for the name Lemay.

Hand Painted Plaques

Hand Painted Plaques proudly displaying the Lemay coat of arms.

Keychains

Keychains emphasing the family crest for the name Lemay.

Mouse pads

Mouse pads with a Lemay coat of arms.

New Products

New Products proudly displaying the Lemay family crest.

Packages

Packages revealing the family crest for the surname Lemay.

Plaques and Frames

Plaques and Frames displaying the Lemay family crest.

Surname Histories

Surname Histories for the name Lemay.

Symbolism

Symbolism displaying the Lemay family crest.

Travel Mugs

Travel Mugs emphasing the family crest for the name Lemay.

Popular Products
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	Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
	Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
	Key-chain
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	Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms

The Lemay Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Lemay Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.