Show ContentsDesvoicyns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Languedoc is the region of ancient France from which the name Desvoicyns was derived. It comes from when the family lived in Languedoc, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Desvoicyns family

The surname Desvoicyns was first found in Languedoc, where this family held a family seat since ancient times.

Many branches are recorded and distinctive, among them were the Marquis of Alzau, the Lords of Pomas, the Lords of Cuxac, the Lords of Arques and the Barons of Blagnac and of Cornebarieu. Prominent among the Ambres branch were Jean, Baron of Ambres, and of Brametourte and Viscount of Lautrec (1481) and François, Baron of Ambres, Viscount of Lautrec, Seneschal of Lauragais and Governor of Castres and of Lavaur (1552).

During the 16th century, two new branches formed, the de Voisins-Lavernière branch and the de Voisins of Mirabel branch. Distinctive among the Alzau branch of the family were Amalric de Voisins who received a portion of the Seigniories of Moussoulens, Pézens, la Bastide Rouge, Paire, Caudebronde and Cuxac, Blaise de Voisins, Lord of Pézens, Moussoulens, Cuxac and Caudebronde in 1417, and Bernard de Voisins, Lord of Alzau, of Pézens, etc., and Knight of Malta in 1579.

Elie Voisin, son of Elie and Marie of St.Germain, travelled from France to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Madeleine Larcher, daughter of Pierre and Adrienne of St.Pierre, on 15th October 1668. 1

Early History of the Desvoicyns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Desvoicyns research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1209, 1231, 1345, 1391, 1431 and 1440 are included under the topic Early Desvoicyns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Desvoicyns Spelling Variations

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 Desvoicyns is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Voisins, Voisin, Voysin, Voisine, Voysins, Voisyn, Voisyns, Voycins, Voicins, Voycine, Voycins, Voicyn, Voicyns, Les Voisins, Les Voisines, Les Voisyns, Les Voycins, Les Voicyns, Les Voycins, Les Voicins, Les Voycines, Le Voisin, Le Voysin, La Voisine, Le Voisyn, Le Voicyn, La Voycine, Vesine, Vésine, Vezine, Vézine, Vézina and many more.

Early Notables of the Desvoicyns family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Desvoicyns Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Desvoicyns family

France finally gave land incentives for 2,000 migrants during the 1700s. Early marriage was encouraged in New France, and youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted migrants, both noble and commoner from France. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries, leaving French names scattered across the continent. The search for the Northwest passage continued. Migration from France to New France or Quebec, as it was now more popularly called, continued until 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, the Acadians were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Desvoicyns were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Desvoicyns were François Vésinat, who married Jeanne Lemarié in Château-Richer in 1670; Pierre Voisin, who settled in Louisiana in 1719; Jacques Vé.



The Desvoicyns Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pro fide
Motto Translation: For faith.


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


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