Show ContentsLagrave History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Lagrave has a long French heritage that first began in southern region of Languedoc. The name is derived from when the family lived in Languedoc but the name could have also been derived from the Old French word "grave," which meant "gravel."

Early Origins of the Lagrave family

The surname Lagrave was first found in Languedoc, where the family has held a family seat since very early times.

Early History of the Lagrave family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lagrave research. Another 215 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1096, 1150, 1248, 1651, 1669, 1708 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Lagrave History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lagrave 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 Lagrave is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Grave, Grève, de Grèves, Grauve, Greive, Le Grave, de Grave, Graves and many more.

Early Notables of the Lagrave family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Hugues, a Lord of Villegly and of Félines; and Jacques Gravier (1651-1708), a French Jesuit missionary in the New World from Moulins, Allier...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lagrave Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Lagrave migration to Canada +

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 Lagrave 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 Lagrave were

Lagrave Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Lagrave, son of Pierre and Françoise, who married Marie-Anne Guibord, daughter of Antoine and Jeanne, in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Quebec on 8th January 1720 1
  • François Lagrave, son of Étienne and Catherine, who married Marie-Catherine Hallé, daughter of Jean and Marie-Anne, in Montreal, Quebec on 25th November 1743 1
  • François Lagrave, son of Charles and Marie-Anne, who married Marguerite Bercier, daughter of Jacques and Marie-Louise, in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, Quebec on 12th July 1745 1
  • Louis Lagrave, son of Louis and Marie-Jeanne, who married Marie-Agnès Beausséjour, daughter of Antoine and Marie, in Ile-Dupas, Quebec on 14th January 1766 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Lagrave (post 1700) +

  • B. P. Lagrave, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1924 2


  1. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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