Show ContentsChapput History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Old French word "Chaput" was a type of chopping block that was used to work slate and create different shapes. The name Chaput was originally given to carpenters. 1

Early Origins of the Chapput family

The surname Chapput was first found in Forez, a former province of France, now part of the modern Loire, the Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme departments, where they have held a family seat since the 1100's.

By the beginning of the 12th century the family was well established in the region of Forez and several members of this important family made a distinctive contribution to the community in which they lived and were rewarded with lands, titles, and letters patent confirming their nobility.

Claude Chapuis is recorded as the Lord of Condrieu and in 1109, as reward for his great contribution both culturally and religiously, he received the permission to construct the chapel of Saint Martin in honour of the family.

Early History of the Chapput family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chapput research. Another 250 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1389, 1536, 1630, 1641, 1667, 1696 and 1710 are included under the topic Early Chapput History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chapput Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous alterations in spelling because of the various cultural groups that inhabited specific regions. Eventually, each region possessed its own local dialect of the French language. The early development of the French language, however, was also influenced by 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 Chapput is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Chaput, Chapue, Chapud, Chapus, Chapout, Chapoue, Chapoud, Chapous, Chapput, Chappue, Chappud, Chappus, Chappout, Chappoue, Chappoud, Chappous, Shaput, Shapue, Shapus, Shapout, Shapoue, Shapoud, Shappous, Shapput, Shappue, Shappud, Shappus, Shappout, Shappoue, Shappoud, Shappous, Chapuis, Chapus and many more.

Early Notables of the Chapput family

More information is included under the topic Early Chapput Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chapput family

By 1643 there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Since immigration was slow, early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries. 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 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The distinguished family name Chapput has made significant contributions to the culture, arts, sciences and religion of France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Chapput were Nicolas Chaput married Angélique Loisel in Québec in 1716; Jean-Baptiste Chaput, son of Nicolas and Angélique Gauthier married Agathe Thouin, daughter of Germain and Madeleine Beaudoin in Qué.



  1. Dionne, N.-E., Origine Des Familles Canadiennes-Français. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1969. Print.


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