Show ContentsGotier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Gotier is from the Languedoc region of southern France, it came from the Old French personal name, Gauldheri, which means army ruler. This name was adopted by a person who held a commanding position in a medieval French army.

Early Origins of the Gotier family

The surname Gotier was first found in Languedoc, where this illustrious family held a family seat with lands and manor. The Gauthier of Savignac family was granted the title of the Lords of Doumairène and in the late 11th century, they contributed to the foundation of Villefranche.

Descending from the original line of Rouergue, the members of this illustrious family branched to Quercy in 1454 where Jean Gauthier was granted the right to be the Co-Lord of Savignac and Cabanes. As a result of the Gauthiers' involvement in their community, this eminent family received their letters patent confirming their noble status on June 2, 1669.

Many branches of the family formed with different spellings due to the cultural and linguistic variations throughout France over the centuries. The Gaultier of Girenton family were the Lords of Châteauneuf of Rouge, Lirac, Le Poët, Costebrune, Lauriol and the Marquis of Châteauneuf in 1723.

Continuing to branch under names of spellings, the Gautier family provided the Lords of Grambois, Mille and Rustrel, a Councillor of Marseille in 1568 and a Secretary to the King in 1624. As well, this branch provided the Lords of Aiguines, Canjuers, Clumans, barons of Senez and three Knights of Malta from 1643 to 1717.

Jean Gauthier, born in 1645, son of Mathurin and Catherine, was a French edge-tool maker that travelled from France to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in the province of Quebec he married Angélique Lefebvre, daughter of Louis and Suzanne, on 21st January 1675. 1

Early History of the Gotier family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gotier research. Another 168 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1642, 1700, 1714, 1723, 1746, 1772, 1778 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Gotier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gotier Spelling Variations

Changes of spelling have occurred in most surnames. The earliest explanation is that during the early development of the French language, names were not yet fixed in spelling. Usually a person gave his version of his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. This depended on accent, and local accents frequently changed the spelling of a name. Some variables were adopted by different branches of the family name. Hence, there are some spelling variations of the name Gotier, including Gauthier, Gauthié, Gauthyer, Gauthyé, Gauthiait, Gauthiai, Gauthiaie, Gauthiay, Gauthiez, Gothier, Gothié, Gothyé, Gothyer, Gothiait, Gothiai, Gothiaie, Gothiay, Gothiez, Gauthyait, Gauthyai, Gauthyaie, Gauthyay, Gauthyez, Gautier, Gauithier, Gautiez, Gautiait, Gautiaie, Gautiaies, Gautiais, Gautiai, Gautyer, Gautyez, Gautyait, Gautyaie, Gautyaies, Gautyaie, Gautyais, Gautherii and many more.

Early Notables of the Gotier family

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

Migration of the Gotier family

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 Gotier 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 Gotier were Joseph Gauthier, aged 32; settled in New York in 1821; Charles Gautier settled in New York in 1838; J.J. Gautier aged 32; settled in New Orleans in 1823.



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


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