Tournel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Tournel was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where this ancient family was established in earlier times.

The members of the family also branched into other regions of France, and there they established alliances with other distinguished families of the day. The branch Le Tourneur formed an important alliance with the Pernes family of Burgundy. Several members of this eminent family distinguished themselves by means of contributions to the society and to their respective communities.

Louis François Letourneur (1751-1817), a French politician, who was an officer before the Revolution, was also a member of the Legislative Assembly in 1791 and of the Convention in 1792, a member of the Committee for Public Safety and of the Military Committee, the director of the Counsel of Seniors (1795-97), a prefect (1800) and a counselor for the Treasury (1810).

David Letourneau, born in 1639, son of David and Sebastienne (née Guery), travelled from France to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Françoise Chapelain, born in 1646, daughter of Louis and Françoise (née De Chaux), at Château-Richer on 6th June 1664. They remained together in Quebec until Françoise passed away on 13th May 1729. 1