Legris History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe surname Legris is a name of ancient French origin. It was a Breton name given to a person with gray hair. The name Legris is derived from the Old French word "gris," which means "gray," and was often given to someone with gray hair. Early Origins of the Legris familyThe surname Legris was first found in Brittany where this distinguished family held a family seat at Motte, and were prominent members of the aristocracy. Early History of the Legris familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Legris research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1789 is included under the topic Early Legris History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Legris Spelling VariationsThroughout the course of history most surnames have undergone changes for many reasons. During the early development of the French language, a son and father may not have chosen to spell their name the same way. Many are simple spelling changes by a person who gave his name, phonetically, to a scribe, priest, or recorder. Many names held prefixes or suffixes which became optional as they passed through the centuries, or were adopted by different branches to signify either a political or religious adherence. Hence, we have many spelling variations of this name, Legris some of which are Gris, Griss, Grix, LeGris, Legris, Legriss and many more. Early Notables of the Legris familyNotable amongst this name at this time was
Legris RankingIn France, the name Legris is the 3,283rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 1
French settlers came early to North American, following in the wake of the explorers, and creating New France. Quebec City, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain is said to have been the first American site founded as a permanent settlement, rather than as just a commercial outpost. But emigration was slow, in 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 French people in Quebec, and by 1663, when the region was officially made The Royal Colony of New France, by Louis XIV, there still only around 500 settlers. Over 2,000 would arrive during the next decade. Early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. Youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted immigrants, both noble and commoner from France. By 1675, there were around 7000 French in the colony, and by that same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. Despite the loss of the Colony to England, the French people flourished in Lower Canada. Among settlers to North America of the Legris surname were Legris Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Legris Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
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