Show ContentsPoirrier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Poirrier dates back to the days of Medieval France, in the region of Normandy. It is derived from their residence in Normandy. The name Poirrier could also be derived from the Old French word "poirier," meaning "pear tree," and was used to distinguish a person who lived near such a tree. In some cases the name may have also been used to indicate a person who sold pears or owned an orchard. 1

Early Origins of the Poirrier family

The surname Poirrier was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where they held a family seat in the seigneurie of Amfreville.

Vincent Poirier, born in 1628, son of François and Michelle (née Bonar), came to New France in the 17th century and is recorded as the first person in Canada with the name Poirier. He married Françoise Pinguet on 8th February 1655. He married again to Judith Renaudeau on 6th December 1662. Vincent died in Quebec on 28th April 1703. 2

Early History of the Poirrier family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Poirrier research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1097 and 1167 are included under the topic Early Poirrier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Poirrier Spelling Variations

History 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 Poirrier, some of which include Poirer, Poirrer, Poirier, Poirrier, Poiré, Poirré, Poirière, Poirrière, Poirez, Poirrez, Poiriez and many more.

Early Notables of the Poirrier family

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

Poirrier Ranking

In France, the name Poirrier is the 6,533rd most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 3


United States Poirrier migration to the United States +

France 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 Poirrier 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 Poirrier were

Poirrier Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Pierre and Maria Poirrier, who arrived in Baltimore in 1763
  • Pierre Poirrier, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1763 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Poirrier (post 1700) +

  • Philippe Poirrier (b. 1963), French historian who is a specialist in French contemporary cultural history


The Poirrier Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Oncques ne fauldray
Motto Translation: Never falter.


  1. Dauzat, Albert, Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionaire Étymologique des Noms et Prénoms de France. Paris: Librairie Larousse, 1987. Print.
  2. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
  3. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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