| ![Show Contents]() Arceneau History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
France
Etymology of ArceneauWhat does the name Arceneau mean? The proud French name Arceneau was formed in Normandy when the family resided at Arcine, in the Canton of Haute-Savoie in Normandy. Early Origins of the Arceneau familyThe surname Arceneau was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where this ancient family has held a family seat since very early times. The first record of the name was in 1257 and 1264, and has a connection with the noble name of Von-Locarno. The period of the time when the family name was Arcenium was perhaps the most rewarding period in that during this time and up to July 1657 this family branch was elected to be the Barons Arcenale de Langon of Orleans and Poitou, but this branch became detached from the main stem of the name of Arsenault. The branch which spelt its name Arzegnio ultimately became Counts, but their history has disappeared into the mists of time. When the family arrived in North America it is thought to have first settled in the Canadian Maritimes in the late 1600's and the name became spelt with the traditional "lt" ending. The name flourished more during this period and until the 20th century, although the name is rarely found in the official records of the early French settlers. However, the name is still found in its original form of Arcegno (pronounced Arsenault) in Switzerland where many noble branches of the family exist. François Arseneau married Suzanne Lecomte in 1665. Suzanne died due to complications from childbirth after delivering their first son, Michel, on 24th December 1666. François died on 10th Februrary 1669 from influenza in Batiscan, Quebec. 1 Early History of the Arceneau familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arceneau research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1347 and 1452 are included under the topic Early Arceneau History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Arceneau Spelling VariationsFrench surnames were subject to numerous spelling alterations depending on the region and time it was used. The early development of the French language relied heavily on borrowing elements and grammar from other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Arceneau is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Arsenault, Arsenaul, Arsenaulte, Arsenauld, Arsenaud, Arsenaut, Arsenot and many more. Early Notables of the Arceneau familyMore information is included under the topic Early Arceneau Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Arceneau familyIn the 1700s, land incentives were finally given out by France to 2,000 migrants. Early marriage was encouraged in New France, and youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted migrants, both noble and commoner from France. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries, leaving French names scattered across the continent. The search for the Northwest passage continued. Migration from France to New France or Quebec, as it was now more popularly called, continued until 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, Acadia were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Arceneau were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Arceneau were Pierre Arsenault (Pierre I) who was born in Rochefort in west-central France around 1646 and arrived in Acadia shortly after the 1671 census. In Acadia, Pierre I married twice and had 9 children. Pierre I, helped to found the Beaubassin settlement and several of Pierre I'.
- Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
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