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Bertrand History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Bertrand History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

The majestic country of France is the ancestral homeland to the prominent surname Bertrand. The surname Bertrand is derived from the personal name of an ancestor, making this a patronymic surname, which belongs to the larger category of hereditary surnames. Patronymic surnames arose out of the vernacular and religious given name traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Vernacular names that were derived from ancient Germanic personal names have cognates in most European languages. For example, the court of Charlemagne (742-814) was Christian and Latin-speaking, but the Frankish dialect of Old German was commonly used for personal names. Vernacular names were widespread throughout Normandy. Accordingly, many typical English and French names are in fact, originally of Germanic origin. In some cases the exact same name appears in many other European countries. The given name Bertrand is derived from the Old German name Berhthramn, which meant "bright raven." This was a popular name due to the raven's symbolic which means as "one who defeats his enemies".

Early Origins of the Bertrand family

The surname Bertrand was first found in Provence, where one of the first records of the name was William Bertrand (died 1094), known as William V or Bertrand I or II, count and margrave of Provence from 1051 until his death.

Guillaume Bertrand, Lord of Vénasque is recorded in the archives in 1275 and Cardinal Bertrand is mentioned in 1275 and in 1378. Descending from the original line of Provence, this ancient family branched out to Roussillon in 1510 where they were well known as the Bertran of Palmarolle. For their involvement in the events of the 1600's many courageous members were listed in the Armorial of 1696 from the regions of Provence. Specifically mentioned in the Armorial were the Honourables Joseph Dominique Bertrand in Aix, Antoine Bertrand in Grasse and Maxime Bertrand in Roumoule. In 1703 this eminent family received its letters patent and heraldic cap, thus confirming their noble descent, the nobility of living members, and that of their descendants in 1703.

Jean Bertrand, born in 1667, was a French labourer that travelled to Canada in the 17th century, along with his wife, Renée Boucherot. He worked as a sailor for three years on "Le Breton" of Quebec. Jean and Renée had one son and he became a farmer in Charlesbourg, Quebec. 1

Early History of the Bertrand family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bertrand research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1526, 1535 and 1581 are included under the topic Early Bertrand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bertrand Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bertrand, Bertran, Bertrant, Bertranc, Bertrent, Bairtrand, Bairtran, Bhairtrand and many more.

Early Notables of the Bertrand family

Notable amongst the names at this time was

Guillaume Bertrand, Lord of Vénasque
Saint Louis Bertrand, O.P.(1526-1581), Spanish Dominican who preached in South America
Anthoine de Bertrand (1535-1581), a French composer who worked in Fontanges, Auvergne, and Toulouse. Later in life, he became a Jesuit

Bertrand World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bertrand is the 3,503^rd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Bertrand is ranked the 229^th most popular surname with an estimated 17,496 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Bertrand is the 120^th popular surname. 4 France ranks Bertrand as 17^th with 59,817 people. 5

Bertrand migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bertrand Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Elizabeth Bertrand, who landed in New York, NY in 1693 6

Bertrand Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mr Bertrand, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 6
Natalis Bertrand, aged 29, who landed in Louisiana in 1719 6
Jacques Bertrand, aged 40, who landed in Louisiana in 1719 6
Claude Bertrand, aged 17, who arrived in Louisiana in 1720 6
Laurand Bertrand, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1763 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bertrand Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Simon Bertrand, who landed in America in 1805 6
Antoine Bertrand, who landed in Louisiana in 1805 6
P. R. Bertrand, aged 28, settled in New Orleans in 1822
M. Bertrand, aged 23, settled in New Orleans in 1823
J. Bertrand, aged 20, settled in New York in 1823
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bertrand Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Emile Bertrand, who landed in Mississippi in 1905 6

Bertrand migration to Canada +