Show ContentsDagenaist History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Noble surnames, such as Dagenaist, evoke images of the ancient homeland of the French people. The original bearer of the name Dagenaist, which is a local surname, once lived, held land, or was born in the beautiful Guyenne region of France. In France, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules and during the late Middle Ages, names that were derived from localities became increasingly widespread. Local names originally denoted the proprietorship of the village or estate. The Dagenaist family originally lived in Guyenne, where the family was established in early times.

Early Origins of the Dagenaist family

The surname Dagenaist was first found in Guyenne, where the family was established in early times.

The members of this distinguished family were established in a parish in Agenais, in the region of Guyenne, which actually forms the major part of the department Lot-et-Garonne. It was from this parish that the family took its name.

Some members of the family were also established in Agen, a city in the department of Lot-et-Garonne, and later in a parish in Aveyron. Some members of this family also established in other regions of Europe and several of them distinguished themselves through their respective accomplishments.

Pierre Dagenais, born in 1631, son of Arnaud and Andrée (née Poulet), travelled from Saint-Sauveur, France to the New World in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Anne Brandon, born in 1641, daughter of Daniel and Jeanne (née Prois), in Montreal on 17th November 1665. In Canada he worked as a merchant and a tailor while also cultivating the nine acre farm that was given to him upon his arrival in New France. 1

Early History of the Dagenaist family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dagenaist research. More information is included under the topic Early Dagenaist History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dagenaist Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Dagenais, Dagenet, Dagenez, d'Agenais and others.

Early Notables of the Dagenaist family

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

Migration of the Dagenaist family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Pierre Dagenais, originally from Saint-Sauveur de la Rochelle in Aunis, the son of Arnaud and of Andrée Poulet, who married Anne Brandon in Montreal in 1665. Pierre was a tailor in Montreal, as was he a cultivator of the land which he had obtained. Franç.



  1. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print


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