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![Show Contents]() Nizard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 France
The surname Denis is one of the oldest family names to come from the French region known as Bretagne, or Brittany in English. It is derived from the Greek given name Dionysios, which means a follower of the Greek god of the same name. Much of the popularity of the name Nizard is due to the fact that it was borne by the 3rd century Bishop of Paris who later became the patron saint of France. Early Origins of the Nizard familyThe surname Nizard was first found in Champagne, where this illustrious family held a family seat since ancient times. By the 14th century the family was well established in the region of Thiérache and several members of the family distinguished themselves through their contributions to the community in which they lived and were rewarded with lands, titles and letters patent confirming their nobility. From the original line of Thiérache, the family branched, expanded, and prospered. Resulting from this expansion, the members of the family had their names recorded with a variety of spellings. As the members of the many branches were involved politically and culturally in their region, they were recorded in the ancient surveys. From the ancient records of the Denisard branch, Adam of la Capelle is recorded in Thiérache in 1340, Jehan is noted in 1360 and Mahieu is registered in 1404. From the Denise branch, Bernard appears in 1294, Pierre in 1384, Jehan Denise rendered homage in 1390, and Jacques appears in a census of 1448. As well, from the ancient cartularies Jehan Denisot is mentioned in 1438. 1 Early History of the Nizard familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nizard research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1598, 1610, 1643, 1644, 1659, 1670, 1688, 1700, 1704, 1706, 1708, 1711 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Nizard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Nizard Spelling VariationsHistory 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 Nizard, some of which include Denis, Dennis, Denys, Dennys, Denice, Denise, Deniset, Deniseau, Denison, Denisard, Denizot, Denizon and many more. Early Notables of the Nizard familyNotable amongst the family during this period was Claude Denis, Lord of la Cornillere, during the 1700's; Frans Denys (c. 1610-1670), a Flemish Baroque painter mainly of portraits; Jacob Denys (1644-1708) was a Flemish Baroque painter; Nicolas Denys (1598?-1688), a French aristocrat who became an explorer, colonizer, soldier and leader in New France, founder of settlements at...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nizard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Nizard familyMigration from France to New France or Quebec as it was now more popularly called, continued from France until it fell in 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, the Acadians were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. In 1793, the remaining French in these provinces came under British rule. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Nizard were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Nizard were Mrs. Dennis, aged 35; settled in Philadelphia in 1820; Ann Dennis settled in Virginia in 1650; Daniell Dennis, aged 22; settled in Barbados in 1635; David Dennis settled in Virginia in 1663.
- Hozier, Charles D, and Antoine Bachelin-Delforenne. État présent De La Noblesse française (1883-1887): Contenant Le Distionnaire De La Noblesse Contemporaine Et Larmorial général De France, Dapres Les Manuscrits De Ch. D Hozier. Librairie Des Bibliophiles, 1884. Print.
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