Show ContentsLegagneur History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The long and noble heritage behind the name of Legagneur first began in medieval France. While the patronymic and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of the father and mother respectively, are the most common form of a hereditary surname in France, occupational surnames also emerged during the late Middle Ages. Many people, such as the Legagneur family, adopted the name of their occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Legagneur was an occupational name for a farmer or cultivator. Interestingly, the name Legagneur was derived from the Old French word "gagneau," which means to "till" or "cultivate."

Early Origins of the Legagneur family

The surname Legagneur was first found in Bourgogne in the Franche-Comté where this family held a family seat from ancient times in the department of de Saône-et-Loire in the arrondisement of Charolles.

A substantial branch of this name also settled in Perche, just south of Normandy. Of this family, Mathurin, Jean and Pierre, sons of Pierre and Renée (née Roger), were all pioneers to New France when they migrated to Quebec in Canada in the 17th century. 1

Mathurin, born in 1606, married Françoise Goudeau on 30th September 1647. Together they had 15 children. He was buried at Château-Richer in September 1696. Jean, born in 1610, married Marguerite Cochon on 29th July 1640. He was buried at Château-Richer on 2nd April 1670. Pierre, born in 1612, married Vincente Obermare on 14th September 1642. He was buried at Château-Richer on 17th April 1699. 2

Early History of the Legagneur family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Legagneur research. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1600 is included under the topic Early Legagneur History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Legagneur Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gagnon, Gagnont, Gagnent, Gagnen, Gagnanc and many more.

Early Notables of the Legagneur family

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


United States Legagneur migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Legagneur Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Claude louis Legagneur, (b. 1735), aged 50, French laborer traveling aboard the ship "La Caroline" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 3rd December 1785 3
  • Mrs. Marie Josephe Legagneur, (nee Hallier), (b. 1735), aged 50, French settler traveling aboard the ship "La Caroline" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 3rd December 1785 3


  1. Hozier, Charles D, and Antoine Bachelin-Delforenne. État présent De La Noblesse française (1883-1887): Contenant Le Distionnaire De La Noblesse Contemporaine Et Larmorial général De France, Dapres Les Manuscrits De Ch. D Hozier. Librairie Des Bibliophiles, 1884. Print.
  2. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
  3. 7 Ships Acadian Expedition of 1785. Retrieved 27th October 2021 from http://www.acadian-cajun.com/7ships.htm


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