Terien History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

Etymology of Terien

What does the name Terien mean?

The Terien name comes from that Medieval landscape of northwestern France known as Brittany (French: Bretagne). The name Terien was originally derived from the family having lived in Brittany.

Early Origins of the Terien family

The surname Terien was first found in Brittany where this distinguished family held a family seat in the honor of the seigneurie of Ragotiere.

A member of this distinguished family accompanied Richard The Lionheart (Richard I of England) in his first Crusade to the Holy Land. One of the main branches of Stang was represented by a Cavalier in 1448. Etienne Thirion was a Seigneur of Barges in 1577. The family branched to Normandy where they held lands. Meanwhile in Bourgogne the family were elevated to the nobility. They made important alliances with the families of Ramessel, Chauvirey, Doyen, and Blondefontaine. 1

Pierre Terrienne settled in Canada in the 17th century. He married Gabrielle Minaud, daughter of Jean and Jeanne, at Sainte-Famille, Quebec on 17th May 1670. They remained together in Quebec until Pierre's death on 12th September 1706. Gabrielle passed away on 27th November 1707. 2

Early History of the Terien family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Terien research. The years 1448 and 1577 are included under the topic Early Terien History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Terien Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous spelling alterations depending on the region and time it was used. The early development of the French language relied heavily on borrowing elements and grammar from other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Terien is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Terrien, Terrion, Terrian, Thirion, Therien, Therrien, Terrienne, de Terrien and many more.

Early Notables of the Terien family

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

Migration of the Terien family

In 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 Terien 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 Terien were Stephen Terrian and his wife Mary who settled in Georgia in 1734; Pierre Therrien came from Angoumois on the west coast of France and settled in Quebec in 1656.

Sources +

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.
Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print