Show ContentsPainchaud History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Painchaud is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Painchaud family lived in Devon. Their name, however, is a reference to Pontchardon, near Neauffla, in Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. 1

Early Origins of the Painchaud family

The surname Painchaud was first found in Devon. "Heanton Punchardon preserves the name of a distinguished family, of whom the most prominent member, Sir Richard, served with great note in France under Edward III." 2

"Robert de Pontchardon is on the Dives Roll. Robert de Pontcardon held lands in Devon 1083 (Exon. Domesday). William de Punchardon in 1165 held six fees in Somerset and Devon : Roger de Punchardon in Lincoln, and Matthew in Northumberland or York 3. William de Punchardon of Heanton-Punchardon, Devon, was living 1242 (Pole), and in 1261 Oliver de Punchardoun had a writ of military summons for the war in Wales. " 4

Early History of the Painchaud family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Painchaud research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1242, 1590, 1630 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Painchaud History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Painchaud Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Painchaud are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Painchaud include Punchon, Puncheon, Punchard, Punshardon, Punshow and many more.

Early Notables of the Painchaud family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Painchaud Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Painchaud Ranking

In Quebec, Canada, the name Painchaud is the 962nd most popular surname. 5


Painchaud migration to Canada +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Painchaud, or a variant listed above:

Painchaud Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • François Painchaud, who married Marie Catherine Couvret in Montréal in 1732
  • François Painchaud, who married Marie Nuiret at Québec in 1758

Contemporary Notables of the name Painchaud (post 1700) +

  • François Painchaud, Canadian lawyer, businessman and lecturer at McGill University
  • Chad Painchaud (b. 1986), Canadian professional ice hockey right winger
  • Charles-François Painchaud (1782-1838), Canadian Roman Catholic priest and educator
  • Charles-François Painchaud (1815-1891), Canadian physician and politician who represented Verchères in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1863
  • Dr. Louis Painchaud, Canadian Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Laval
  • Alexis Painchaud (1792-1850), Canadian merchant marine captain, ship owner, merchant, and justice of the peace
  • Patrice Painchaud, Quebec musician and singer


  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  2. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  3. Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)
  4. 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)
  5. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec


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