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Blanchet History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Blanchet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France-Alt
France

The surname Blanchet is derived from the word "blanc," which is French for "white." It was no doubt originally given to someone either because of their blond hair or because of a reputation for purity and piety, and as such is classed as a nickname surname. Nicknames were derived from a wide variety of characteristics that would have been associated with the first person who used the name. 1

Early Origins of the Blanchet family

The surname Blanchet was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie.)Throughout the centuries, several members were recognized for their valiant conduct at war and as a result, the family earned titles and lands in honor of their courage. This renown family branched and prospered in various provinces in France where they adapted well to the varied cultures of these new regions. On January 20, 1572, the Duke of Savoie, the head of the family, was granted a Patent of Nobility, confirming the important status of this family and its descendants. Living in Dauphiné, Pierre Le Blanc, the Lord of Prebois and of Ferrière, is mentioned for his contributions to the community in 1602.

By the 1700's, the Le Blanc family had spread to Provence where they were the Lords of Boisvert, of Castillon, of Mondespin, of Roquefort, of Ventabren and of others. As well, they provided many Consuls to Parliament and an official representing the nobility of Provence. Having their noble status maintained in 1718 and 1788, the Leblancs had their impressive stature confirmed by royalty. Several members of this family were actively engaged in the political movements of their times and for serving their countrymen, the Le Blanc name was honored further. Distinctive among the family were consuls in the Parliament of Toulouse and the President of the Court of Aides of Montauban in 1778.

Pierre Blanchet, born in 1646, son of Noel and Madeleine (née Valet), was a French weaver that travelled from Picardy (French: Picardie) to Canada in the 17th century. After settling in Quebec he married Marie Fournier, daughter of Joseph and Françoise (née Hebert), at Notre-Dame on 17th February 1670. 2

Early History of the Blanchet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blanchet research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1614 and 1689 are included under the topic Early Blanchet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blanchet Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Blanchet, Blancheteau, Blancheton, Blanchonnet and many more.

Early Notables of the Blanchet family

Notable amongst the family in this period was

Thomas Blanchet (1614-1689), a French painter, draughtsman, architect, sculptor and printmaker

Blanchet Ranking

In Canada, the name Blanchet is the 925^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,857 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Blanchet is ranked the 233^rd most popular surname with an estimated 15,453 people with that name. 4

Blanchet migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Blanchet Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Blanchet, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 5
Jean Blanchet, who landed in South Carolina in 1755 5

Blanchet Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Antonio Blanchet, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1816 5
Augustin M Blanchet, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1847 5
George Blanchet, aged 28, who arrived in Missouri in 1847 5

Blanchet migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Alexandre Blanchet, son of Jean and Geneviève, who married Marie-Louise Pepin, daughter of Antoine and Madeleine, in Lévis, Quebec on 11th January 1751 6
Alexis Blanchet, son of Jean and Geneviève, who married Marie-Josephte Gilbert, daughter of Joseph and Marguerite, in Cap-Saint-Ignace, Quebec on 21st August 1747 6
André Blanchet, son of Jean and Geneviève, who married Françoise Buteau, daughter of François and Marie-Anne, in Berthier, Quebec on 11th September 1769 6
Antoine Blanchet, son of Pierre and Catherine, who married Marie-Agathe Roy, daughter of Augustin and Marie-Agathe, in Saint-Vallier, Quebec on 1st February 1768 6
Augustin Blanchet, son of Jean and Geneviève, who married Angélique Gilbert, daughter of Joseph and Marguerite, in Cap-Saint-Ignace, Quebec on 15th January 1753 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Blanchet Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Mr. René Blanchet, (b. 1639), aged 23 French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 9th May 1662 7
Pierre Blanchet, who arrived in Canada in 1669

Blanchet migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Blanchet Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Auguste Blanchet, (b. 1842), aged 21, British farm labourer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lancashire Witch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 13th October 1863 8
Mrs. Elizabeth Blanchet, (b. 1843), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lancashire Witch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 13th October 1863 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Blanchet (post 1700) +

Francis Norbert Blanchet (1795-1883), American (Canadian-born) clergyman, who became the 1st archbishop of Portland (1846-1881)
François Blanchet (1707-1784), French writer
Abbé François Blanchet (1707-1784), French littérateur
Jacques Blanchet (b. 1931), Canadian singer, songwriter
Joseph-Goderic Blanchet (1820-1890), Canadian physician and politician
Claude Blanchet, Canadian financial tycoon

The Blanchet Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sans tache
Motto Translation: Without stain.

Citations +

Dauzat, Albert, Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionaire Étymologique des Noms et Prénoms de France. Paris: Librairie Larousse, 1987. Print.
Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html