Papillon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France

Family Crest Image (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

From the historical and enchanting region of France emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Papillon family. Originally, the French people were known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted in France is extremely interesting. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Often they adopted names that were derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The name Papillon is a nickname type of surname for a dainty person, being derived from the Old French word "papilon," which meant "butterfly".

Early Origins of the Papillon family

The surname Papillon was first found in Maine where they held a family seat in the seigneurie of Braiteau and were included amongst the aristocracy of that province on the southern borders of Normandy in the north of France.

The movie Papillon (1973) starring Steve McQueen was based on the 1969 autobiography by the French convict Henri Charrière. "Papillon was Henri Charrière's nickname.

Early History of the Papillon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Papillon research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1680 is included under the topic Early Papillon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Papillon Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Papillon, Papilon, Papillin, Papilin, Papillo, Papilleau, Papillault, Papillaud, Papillot, Papilot, Papillote, Papillots, Papilotes, Parpillon and many more.

Early Notables of the Papillon family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Papillon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Papillon migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Papillon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

François Papillon who settled in Louisiana in 1712

Papillon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francois Papillon, aged 22, who landed in America, in 1892

Papillon Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Georges Papillon, aged 27, who landed in America from France, in 1904
Louisa Papillon, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from Paris, in 1905
George Papillon, aged 26, who immigrated to America from Paris, in 1906
Olle Papillon, aged 23, who landed in America from Havre, in 1922

Papillon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Papillon Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Etienne Papillon, who settled in Quebec in 1691
Genevieve Garnier Papillon, who arrived in Quebec in 1691
Etienne Papillon, son of François and Michelle, who married Geneviève Garnier, daughter of François and Jacqueline, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec on 11th June 1691 ^[1]

Papillon Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Pierre Papillon, son of Etienne and Geneviève, who married Marie-Angélique Gaudin, daughter of Charles and Marie-Madeleine, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec on 21st July 1721 ^[1]
Etienne Papillon, son of Etienne and Marie-Geneviève, who married Marie-Madeleine Larue, daughter of Jean-Baptiste and Catherine, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec on 12th January 1722 ^[1]
Etienne Papillon, son of Etienne and Marie-Geneviève, who married Elisabeth Willis, daughter of Jean and Louise-Catherine, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec on 28th September 1733 ^[1]
Pierre-Charles Papillon, son of Pierre and Marie-Angélique, who married Marie-Josephte Richard, daughter of Jacques and Marie-Charlotte, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec on 2nd February 1750 ^[1]
Etienne Papillon, son of Etienne and Marie-Madeleine, who married Madeleine Ruel, daughter of jean-Baptiste and Marthe, in Sorel, Quebec on 7th January 1750 ^[1]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Papillon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Pierre, Andre, Daniel, and Elie Papillon, who were listed among the "Families from La Rochelle in Canada"

Contemporary Notables of the name Papillon (post 1700) +

Jean-François Papillon (d. 1800), African-born slave in Haiti, one of the principal leaders in the Haitian Revolution against slavery and French rule
Denis-Pierre-Jean Papillon (1727-1794), French connoisseur of art and an administrator
John Papillon (1806-1889), English cricketer from Acrise, Kent who later became a Church of England priest, Rector of Bonnington, Kent (1831-1841), and Lexden, Essex (1841-1889)
Godfrey Keppel Papillon (1867-1942), English cricketer who played for Northamptonshire (1901-1903)
Annick Papillon (b. 1980), Canadian politician, Member of the Canadian Parliament for Québec (2011-2015)
John Ashton Papillon (1838-1891), British photographer and Royal Engineer

Citations +

^ Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.