Prefontaine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

France

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The French region of Savoie is the ancestral homeland of the prestigious surname Prefontaine. The name Prefontaine is derived from the Old French word "fontaine," which means "fountain," and as a name it no doubt originally served as a mark of recognition for someone who lived near such a landmark. As such, Prefontaine is classed as a topographic surname.

Early Origins of the Prefontaine family

The surname Prefontaine was first found in Savoy (French: Savoie) in the Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps, where this renowned family has held a family seat since ancient times.

Early History of the Prefontaine family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Prefontaine research. Another 310 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1238, 1339, 1357, 1390, 1418, 1450, 1521, 1551, 1579, 1600, 1621, 1658, 1663, 1685, 1695, 1696, 1702, 1731, 1745, 1752, 1789, 1816 and 1882 are included under the topic Early Prefontaine History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prefontaine Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lafontaine, Lafontain, Lafantaine, Fontaine, Fantaine, Fontain, Fontein, Fantein, Fantaine, Fonteyn, Lafonteyn, Lafon and many more.

Early Notables of the Prefontaine family

Notable in the family name at this time was Pierre Fontaine (c. 1390-1450), a French composer and singer, who served in the chapel of Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy; François Lafontaine , Lord of Mézeyrac during the 1600's; Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695), a French poet and man of letters, considered one of the great French classical authors; Jean Desfontaines (c. 1658-1752), a French Baroque...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Prefontaine Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Prefontaine migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Prefontaine Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

A Prefontaine, aged 8, who settled in America, in 1894
Mrs. R. Prefontaine, aged 41, who landed in America, in 1894
R Prefontaine, aged 45, who settled in America, in 1894
Roll Prefontaine, aged 14, who landed in America, in 1894

Prefontaine Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Homer D. Prefontaine, aged 18, who immigrated to America, in 1918

Prefontaine migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Prefontaine Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Gsaie Prefontaine, aged 47, who immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1909
Mary Prefontaine, aged 46, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1909
Rolland Prefontaine, aged 31, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1912
Marie A. Prefontaine, aged 26, who immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1912
Fernand Prefontaine, aged 28, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1912
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Prefontaine (post 1700) +

Steve Roland "Pre" Prefontaine (1951-1975), American gold medalist middle and long-distance runner at the 1971 Pan American Games
Joseph Raymond Fournier Préfontaine PC (1850-1905), Canadian politician, 25th Mayor of Montreal
Yves Préfontaine (b. 1937), Canadian writer
Stéphane Préfontaine (1961-1976), Canadian track athlete, best known for co-lighting the Olympic Flame at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Noel Prefontaine (b. 1973), Canadian CFL football punter / kicker
Marie-Pier Préfontaine (1988-2010), Canadian alpine skier at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Edmond Préfontaine (1898-1971), Canadian politician in Manitoba