Show ContentsChapuis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Chapuis

What does the name Chapuis mean?

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 Chapuis family

The surname Chapuis 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 Chapuis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chapuis 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 Chapuis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chapuis Spelling Variations

French 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 Chapuis 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 Chapuis family

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

Chapuis Ranking

In France, the name Chapuis is the 365th most popular surname with an estimated 11,306 people with that name. 2


Chapuis migration to the United States +

France was active as a cultural leader in the early 16th century. One particular area in which they lead was the exploration of the New World. The explorers, like Jacques Cartier in 1534, led the way to North America. Champlain, in 1608, made the first of twenty voyages to France to attract settlers and brought the first migrant in 1617. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec, and the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Chapuis has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Chapuis were

Chapuis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • A. L. Chapuis, aged 42, who landed in America, in 1892
Chapuis Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Alphonsine Chapuis, aged 26, who landed in America, in 1903
  • Julie Chapuis, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Paris, in 1906
  • Abel Chapuis, aged 59, who settled in America, in 1909
  • Auguste Chapuis, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States from Chalonvillars, France, in 1910
  • Camille Chapuis, aged 4, who settled in America from Chalonvillars, France, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Chapuis (post 1700) +

  • Michel Chapuis (1930-2017), French classical organist and pedagogue
  • Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864), French cabinetmaker
  • Michel Chapuis (1941-1964), French silver medalist sprint canoer at the 1964 Summer Olympics
  • Louis Chapuis, French Olympic fencer at the 1908 Summer Olympics
  • Johann Chapuis (b. 1975), French football defender
  • Cyril Chapuis (b. 1979), French football player
  • Félicien Chapuis (1824-1879), Belgian doctor and entomologist


  1. Dionne, N.-E., Origine Des Familles Canadiennes-Français. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1969. Print.
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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