Show ContentsLaveque History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Laveque belongs to the early history of France, in the much fought over region of Normandy. It is a product of the family's residency in Normandy.

Early Origins of the Laveque family

The surname Laveque was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy. One of the first records of the family was Ralph and John Leveske, who were listed there from 1180-98 according to the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae. 1

The root name, Eveske, means "bishop." Interestingly, while few of the family migrated to England after the Norman Conquest, Henry Eveske was listed as living there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273.

Robert Levesque, born in 1645, son of Pierre Levesque and Marie Gaumont, was a carpenter that arrived in New France (Quebec) from Normandy. He married Jeanne Le Chevalier in Ange-Gardien, Quebec on 22 April 1679 and together they had six children, three of which were sons that carried on the name Levesque. Robert was buried in Rivière-Ouelle, Quebec on 3 September 1699. 2

Early History of the Laveque family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Laveque research. Another 192 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1634, 1675, 1792, 1807, 1809 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Laveque History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Laveque 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 Laveque is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Levesque, Lévesque, Levecke, Levek, Leveque, Lévèque, Lavesque, Levèque, Levesques, Levecque, Levecques, Lavecque, Levècque, Lévèque, Levéque and many more.

Early Notables of the Laveque family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Laveque Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Laveque family

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 Laveque 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 Laveque were Marie Levesque settled in Virginia in 1700; Paul Levesque, aged 14; settled in New Orleans in 1820; Alexandre Levesque, aged 17; settled in New Orleans in 1820.



  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print


Houseofnames.com on Facebook