| ![Show Contents]() Montagnat History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
France
Etymology of MontagnatWhat does the name Montagnat mean? The history of the Montagnat family goes back to the Medieval landscape of southern France, to a region known as Languedoc. It is derived from the family living on or near a hill. The surname could be translated as "dweller on the hill." Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old French word "montaine," which means "hill." Early Origins of the Montagnat familyThe surname Montagnat was first found in Languedoc in south-east France where they were distinguished members of the aristocracy, and held a family seat at Montiver. They were also in Moulines and at Poncins in Forez. This family also changed their name in Holland to Van den Bergh, where they held lands. The Moulines branch moved to Velay and preferred the spelling Montagnat. This latter branch established estates in Lyonnais to the east of Languedoc. By the 16th century the title of the Montaigne had passed to the family of Eyquem in Perigord. Michel Eyquem, Seigneur de Montaigne, 1533-1592, was a writer, moralist, and councillor of Parliament in Bordeaux, he was born at Castle Montaigne and died there. François Lamontagne, son of Renaud and Jeanne, travelled from France to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Anne Philippe, daughter of Jacques and Anne, on 24th November 1671. They remained together in the province of Quebec until François passed away at the age of 65 on 10th April 1701. 1 Early History of the Montagnat familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Montagnat research. Another 30 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1533 and 1592 are included under the topic Early Montagnat History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Montagnat Spelling VariationsChanges of spelling have occurred in most surnames. The earliest explanation is that during the early development of the French language, names were not yet fixed in spelling. Usually a person gave his version of his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. This depended on accent, and local accents frequently changed the spelling of a name. Some variables were adopted by different branches of the family name. Hence, there are some spelling variations of the name Montagnat, including Montaigne, Montaign, Montagne, Montagnat, Mountain, Lamontaigne, Lamontagne and many more. Early Notables of the Montagnat familyMore information is included under the topic Early Montagnat Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Montagnat familyIn 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 Montagnat 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 Montagnat were Mr. Lamontaigne who settled in Louisiana in 1719; Charles Lamontaigne arrived in Quebec from Ile-de-France in 1749; Nicholas De La Montagne settled in Maryland in 1670..
- Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
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