| ![Show Contents]() Lemais History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
France
Etymology of LemaisWhat does the name Lemais mean? The Lemais 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 Lemais familyThe surname Lemais 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 Lemais familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lemais research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lemais History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Lemais Spelling VariationsOne can encounter great variation in the spelling of French surnames; in part, as spelling, and the spelling names was not yet standardized during the early development of the written French language. Later, there was much branching and movement of families, and spellings would change according to region. Variations of the name Lemais include LeMay, Lemay, Lemais, Lemaise, Lemmais, Lemmaise, Lemaises, Lemet, Lemez, Lemait, Lemaits, Dumay, Dumais, Dumez and many more. Early Notables of the Lemais familyMore information is included under the topic Early Lemais Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Lemais familyFrance 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 Lemais 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 Lemais were Lewis Dumay arrived in Philadelphia in 1811.
- Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
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