Beguin History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe French name Beguin is of Medieval origin. It was a Norman name for a person whose speech is affected by a stutter. The word begin was Old French slang for a person who stuttered. As such, the name is commonly called a nickname. Early Origins of the Beguin familyThe surname Beguin was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where the family first established itself as an important participant in the cultural and political events of the region. Jean Béguin was a renown chemist responsible for the discovery of the chemical calomel in 1608. Jacques Begin is recorded as a prominent member of the family who later established himself in the diocese of Lisieux in 1620. Michel Bégon (1638-1710), was a French administrator after whom the "begonia" plant was named in his honor. Jacques-François Begouen, a Count of the Empire under Napoleon and Abbey of Valasse, became a senior member of the Council of State and received his title of nobility in 1808. Along with these credits, he received a large area of land worth over 10,400 francs at the time. Louis Begin, baptized on 28th September 1636, son of Jacques and Diane (née Meloque), travelled from France to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Jeanne Durand, born in 1654, daughter of Martin and Françoise (née Brunet), on 15th October 1668. 1 Early History of the Beguin familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beguin research. The years 1525, 1528, 1544, 1631, 1638, 1667, 1702, 1710, 1747, 1808 and 1812 are included under the topic Early Beguin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Beguin Spelling VariationsFrench 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 Beguin is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Begin, Bégin, Begine, Bégine, Beguin, Béguin, Beguine, Béguine, Beguinet, Béguinet, Beguinot, Béguinot, Beghin, Béghin, Begouin, Bégouin, Begon, Bégon, Begouen, Bégouen, Begougne, Bégougne and many more. Early Notables of the Beguin familyNotable amongst the family in this period was
Beguin RankingIn France, the name Beguin is the 963rd most popular surname with an estimated 5,430 people with that name. 2
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 Beguin 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 Beguin were Beguin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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