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![Show Contents]() Massai History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 France Italy
From the historical and enchanting region of France emerged a multitude of notable family names, including that of the distinguished Massai family. Originally, the people in this region went by one (personal) name. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. These names then began to become "fixed" or hereditary between the generations. The Massai surname derives from the Old French word "masse," which refers to the heavy metal tipped war club called a mace; and as such was thought to have been an occupational name for a soldier who carried a mace. The surname may also have been taken on from any of several places with names such as Masse, LaMasse, Massé. Early Origins of the Massai familyThe surname Massai was first found in Savoy (French: Savoie) in the Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps, where this celebrated family has held a family seat from ancient times. Throughout the centuries, this family prospered and branched to several regions where members became prominent citizens of their respective areas. As a result of their prominence in society, the family members formed many alliances with other powerful families of the times and in this way, property and titles were exchanged according to the pacts. From Lombardie, the family branched to Provence and by 1667 they were granted the titles of Lords of Rustrel, of Chauvet, of Serluc and of La Rouvière. François Masse, born in 1722, son of Richard and Jeanne (née Jordan), travelled from Normandy to New France in the 18th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Marthe Paradis, born in 1718, at Rivière-Ouelle on 12th January 1745. They settled together in Rivière-Ouelle until his death on 27th May 1782. 1 Early History of the Massai familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Massai research. Another 48 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1574, 1577, 1603, 1608, 1613, 1646, 1648, 1689, 1697, 1701 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Massai History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Massai Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Masse, Masses, Massey, Massait, Massaie, Massaies, Massé, Masser, Massée and many more. Early Notables of the Massai familyNotable in the family name at this time was Énemond Massé (1574-1646), French Jesuit missionary from Lyon who arrived in Acadia with Pierre Biard in 1608, but later had to move to Bar Harbor, Maine; and Henri de Massue, 2nd Marquis de Ruvigny, afterward Earl of Galway PC (1648-1720), a French Huguenot soldier...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Massai Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Massai familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Enemond Masse who settled in Maine in 1613; Alex Masse who settled in Virginia in 1637; Francis Masse, aged 30; who settled in New Orleans in 1821; Thomas Masser who settled in Virginia in 1650.
- Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
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