Show ContentsGuerin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The French name Guerin has a history dating as far back as the 13th century. This history is intrinsically entwined with that region known as Normandy, for it was derived from when the Guerin family lived in Normandy, at Gueron. [1]

Guérin was also originally a name given to a person that was born under the astrological sign of Aries, so it is assumed by some sources that the name Guerin stemmed form this nickname. [2]

Early Origins of the Guerin family

The surname Guerin was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where they held a family seat at Gueron and were the seigneurie of that area, in the department of Calvados in the arrondissement of Bayou. In 1086 Turstin de Giron or Girounde was an under-tenant of Odo, Bishop of Bayou. Later, in 1133, Gueron is described as a bravassoria of the Bishop of Bayou. They also branched to Grée and Landelle in Brittany. This distinguished family were Grand Masters of the Order of St.Jean of Jerusalem in 1231.

Some scholars believe the name finds its early roots with the Guerins of Gauthier and Saint Martin. His posterity included the name Warren in England, Guaragno and Guarini in Italy, and of course Guerin in France [1].

"About 1050, Robert surnamed Guernon, Baron of Montfiquet, witnessed a charter of Duke William. He had issue, 1. William de Montfitchet, who died when the barony descended on the son of his brother: 2. Robert Guernon, or Gernon, who held a great barony in Essex in 1086. From his eldest son, William de Montfitchet, descended the Barons Montfichet; the younger branches retained the name of Guernon. Alured Gernon, the brother of William de Montfichet, had estates in Essex and Middlesex in 1130. " [3]

Some ancient findings of the name include, the Guerins of Agon, ennobled in 1653, the Guerins of Chermont, ennobled in 1657, the Guerins of Grasserie who were councilors in parliament, cited in 1452, and the Guerins of Houssaye, three of which were knights of Saint Louis. [1]

Claude Guerin, born in 1668, son of Michel and Jeanne (née Veron), was a soldier for M. Noyan. He married Jeanne Cusson at Montreal, Quebec on 19th November 1696. [4]

Early History of the Guerin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Guerin research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1606, 1611, 1663, 1678, 1679, 1681, 1688, 1698, 1721, 1748, 1749, 1758, 1774, 1799, 1805, 1810, 1833, 1839, 1848 and 1874 are included under the topic Early Guerin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Guerin Spelling Variations

Throughout the course of history most surnames have undergone changes for many reasons. During the early development of the French language, a son and father may not have chosen to spell their name the same way. Many are simple spelling changes by a person who gave his name, phonetically, to a scribe, priest, or recorder. Many names held prefixes or suffixes which became optional as they passed through the centuries, or were adopted by different branches to signify either a political or religious adherence. Hence, we have many spelling variations of this name, Guerin some of which are Guerrin, Guerren, Guerin, Guerinne, Guerrein, Guereon, Gueron, Gerin, Garin, Le Guerin, Guerenne, Le Guerinne, De Guerin, De Guerrin, Du Guerin and many more.

Early Notables of the Guerin family

Notable amongst the family in this period was Gilles Guérin (1611-1678), French sculptor; Louis Laguerre (1663-1721), a French decorative painter who mainly worked in England; Pierre Guérin de Tencin (1679-1758), French ecclesiastic; Claudine Guérin de Tencin (1681-1749), French salonist and...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Guerin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Guerin World Ranking

In the United States, the name Guerin is the 4,309th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. [5] However, in Canada, the name Guerin is ranked the 905th most popular surname with an estimated 5,947 people with that name. [6] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Guerin is the 321st popular surname. [7] France ranks Guerin as 36th with 47,981 people. [8]


United States Guerin migration to the United States +

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year 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 Guerin 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 Guerin were

Guerin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Gasper Guerin, who landed in Maryland in 1663 [9]
  • Francois Guerin, who arrived in South Carolina in 1680 [9]
Guerin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Etienne Guerin, who arrived in New York in 1705 [9]
  • Jacques Guerin, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 [9]
  • Marie Fermignac Guerin, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 [9]
  • Anty Guerin, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 [9]
  • Dominique Guerin, aged 63, French laborer traveling aboard the ship "La Bergere" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 15th August 1785 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Guerin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Francis Guerin, who landed in New York, NY in 1825 [9]
  • Mr. J. Edmond Guerin, aged 38, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Alberdina"
Guerin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Paul O Guerin, aged 36, who landed in Hancock County, Miss in 1901 [9]

Canada Guerin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Guerin Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Madeleine Guerin, who landed in Canada in 1655
  • Sylvain Guerin married Marie Braseau, daughter of Nicolas and Pérette, in Quebec in 1685 [10]
  • Claude Guerin, son of Claude and Jeanne, who married Jeanne Cusson, daughter of Jean and Marie, in Montreal, Quebec on 19th November 1696 [10]
Guerin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Henri Guerin, son of Clément and Périnne, who married Gertrude Bon, daughter of Pierre and Michelle, in Quebec in 1700 [10]
  • Guillaume Guerin, son of Léonard and Marie, who married Marie-Anne Guillot, daughter of Vincent and Jeanne, in Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Quebec on 6th October 1704 [10]
  • Guillaume Guerin who settled in Quebec in 1704 from Normandy
  • Antoine Guerin, son of Sylvain and Marie, who married Catherine Dardenne, daughter of René and Françoise, in Montreal, Quebec on 17th April 1712 [10]
  • Louis Guerin, son of Mathurin and Léonarde, who married Marie-Anne Pasquet, daughter of René and Hélène,  in Quebec on 1st August 1712 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Guerin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Guerin, aged 40 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sisters" departing 22nd April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 20th June 1847 but he died on board [11]
  • Mr. John Guerin, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Lord Glenelg" departing 6th May 1847 from Limerick, Ireland; the ship arrived on 19th June 1847 but he died on board [11]
  • Miss. Mary Guerin, aged 10 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Sisters" departing 22nd April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 20th June 1847 but she died on board [11]
  • Mr. Michael Guerin who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Lotus" departing 15th April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 24th June 1847 but he died on board [11]

Australia Guerin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Guerin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Michael Guerin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Birman" in 1840 [12]
  • Bridget Guerin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Hooghly" in 1846 [13]
  • Catherine Guerin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Hooghly" in 1846 [13]
  • John Guerin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Hooghly" in 1846 [13]
  • Lawrence Guerin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Hooghly" in 1846 [13]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Guerin 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:

Guerin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Michael Guerin, aged 35, a carpenter, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1876
  • Mary Guerin, aged 32, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1876
  • Ann Guerin, aged 6, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1876
  • Margaret Guerin, aged 4, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1876
  • Catherine Guerin, aged 6 mths., who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1876
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Guerin (post 1700) +

  • Jules Guérin (1866-1946), American muralist, architectural delineator and illustrator
  • William Robert Guerin (b. 1970), American professional ice hockey right winger
  • Jacques Julien Guérin, Baron de Wald Erbach, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 [14]
  • François Guérin d'Etoquigny, French Divisional General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 [15]
  • Alexandre Paul Guérin de Châteauneuf-Randon, Marquis de Joyeuse, French Divisional General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 [16]
  • Georges Maurice de Guérin de Cayla (1810-1839), French poet
  • Jean-Baptiste Paulin Guérin (1783-1855), French painter
  • Daniel Guérin (1904-1988), French anarchist and author
  • Diane Guérin (1948-2022), Canadian actress and singer from Lachine, Montreal
  • Camille Guerin, French veterinarian and microbiologist, who, with the help of Calmette, discovered the vaccine for tuberculosis
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

USS Arizona
  • Mr. Charles W. Guerin Jr., American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking [17]


  1. Hozier, Charles D, and Antoine Bachelin-Delforenne. État présent De La Noblesse française (1883-1887): Contenant Le Distionnaire De La Noblesse Contemporaine Et Larmorial général De France, Dapres Les Manuscrits De Ch. D Hozier. Librairie Des Bibliophiles, 1884. Print.
  2. Dionne, N.-E., Origine Des Familles Canadiennes-Français. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1969. Print.
  3. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
  4. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  8. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  9. 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)
  10. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  11. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 78)
  12. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BIRMAN 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Birman.htm
  13. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HOOGHLY 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846Hooghly.htm
  14. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, March 6) Jacques Guérin. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
  15. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, March 6) François Guérin. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
  16. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, February 12) Alexandre Guérin. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
  17. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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