Gaine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France-Alt
France
Ireland

The Gaine surname is thought to come from the Old French word "gagner", which meant to "till" or "cultivate" the land. As such, the name Gaine was likely originally an occupational name for a farmer or cultivator. The more popular spelling Gagné or Gagne literally translates from French as "earn" or "win."

Gannes is a commune in the Oise department in northern France and today Gagny is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It was originally part of the department of Seine-et-Oise. 1

Early Origins of the Gaine family

The surname Gaine was first found in Burgundy (French: Bourgogne), an administrative and historical region of east-central France where the family held a family seat from ancient times.

This family were well established throughout the many provinces of France and several members were rewarded for their work and interest in the matters of their communities with lands, titles and letters patent elevating them to nobility. Distinctive positions held by members of this family include, Counselor and President of Parliament in 1645, 1674, 1675 and 1715, Captain of the Guards and Priest of Châtillon and of Livry. Another branch of this noble family were the Barons of Pouilly and of this branch, Jean-Baptiste became the President at the Financial Chamber in 1685.

Brothers, Pierre Gagne, born in 1610, and Louis, born in 1612, sons of Louis and Marie (née Launay), settled in Canada in 1643. Pierre married in France in 1639 to Marguerite Rouzée, daughter of Jehan and Catherine, and they had one son, Jacques. Pierre died of a fever and was buried in Quebec on 1st May 1656.

Louis Gagne married Marie Michel, daughter of Pierre and Louise, in France in 1638. Louis and Marie settled together in Quebec until his death in 1662. 2

Early History of the Gaine family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gaine research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1516, 1576, 1579, 1611, 1670, 1685, 1703 and 1740 are included under the topic Early Gaine History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gaine Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gagne, Gagnes, Gane, Gaine, Gaigne, Geigne, Geygne, Gaygne, De Gagne, De Gagnes, DesGagne, Des Gagne, Desgagne, desGagne, Gagny, Gagnay, Gagnais, Gagney, Gagneais, Gagnet, Gagnau, Gaigne, Gaignet, Gaigney, Gaigny and many more.

Early Notables of the Gaine family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Jean-Baptiste Gagne, President of the Financial Chamber in 1685. John Gagnier (1670?-1740), was an English Orientalist, born in Paris about 1670, and educated at the College of Navarre. "After taking orders he...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gaine Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gaine migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gaine Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Samuel and Alice Gaine, who immigrated to Nova Scotia in 1750

Gaine migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Gaine Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Edward Gaine, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "The Stratheden" in 1850 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Gaine (post 1700) +

Charles Gaine, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Bucks County, 1885-88 4

The Gaine 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: Recalcitrantem Cogo
Motto Translation: Stron force

Citations +

Dionne, N.-E., Les Canadiens-Francais Origine Des Familles. Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 1969. Print
Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The STRATHEDEN 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Stratheden.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html