Show ContentsLamal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Lamal

What does the name Lamal mean?

The Lamal family name dates back to the time of Medieval France. It comes from an early member of the family from Normandy who was a person born in the month of May. A May birth was considered lucky as the month was a festive time in which the beginning of the growing season was celebrated.

Early Origins of the Lamal family

The surname Lamal was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where the family anciently resided at Leme, a village in the department of l'Aisne, in the arrondisement of Vervins. By the 12th century the family name also moved south to Aquitaine and Languedoc. A branch was formed in Anjou at Poitiers.

Michel Lemay, born in 1630, son of François and Marie (née Gaschet), travelled from Chenehutte-les-Tuffeaux in Anjou to New France in 1659. He settled in Quebec and married Marie Dutaut, born in 1640, daughter of Pierre and Jeanne, at Trois-Rivières on 15th June 1659. His second marriage was to Michelle Ouinville on 12th April 1677. 1

Early History of the Lamal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lamal research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lamal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lamal Spelling Variations

History has changed the spelling of most surnames. During the early development of the French language in the Middle Ages, a person gave his version of his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. Some variables were adopted by different branches of the family name. Hence, there spelling variations of the name Lamal, some of which include LeMay, Lemay, Lemais, Lemaise, Lemmais, Lemmaise, Lemaises, Lemet, Lemez, Lemait, Lemaits, Dumay, Dumais, Dumez and many more.

Early Notables of the Lamal family

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

Migration of the Lamal family

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 Lamal 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 Lamal were Lewis Dumay arrived in Philadelphia in 1811.



  1. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print


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