Show ContentsTremblet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Tremblet

What does the name Tremblet mean?

The French name Tremblet first arose during the Medieval period in Normandy. It is derived from when the family having lived at Tremblay, in Normandy.

Early Origins of the Tremblet family

The surname Tremblet was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where the family held a family seat since early times.

Active in the conquest, they were awarded lands in England where their name became Trembles. Another branch moved to neighboring Flanders where they established themselves and gave their name to the land of Trembleur in the 1400's.

Interestingly, there are records of the family in Scotland in ancient times. "Walter de Trembley occupied the lands of Delany in the Mearns, 1263, and Robert de Tremblay witnessed a charter of lands in Fife by Sir Alexander de Moray, 1281. Robert de Tremblee who rendered homage in 1296 is probably Robert de Tremblay or Trembleye of Elgin en Moreve whose homage is recorded in the same year. " 1

By the 15th century the family again branched to Burgundy and settled in Geneva by 1620. Another branch was formed in Picardy, Bourgogne. One of the family's descendants was Abraham Trembley, who was a Swiss Naturalist during the 1700's and wrote "Mémoires pour sévir à l'histoire de polypes d'eau douce à bras en forme de cornes", in 1774.

Pierre Tremblay, son of Philibert and Jehanne (neé Coignet), was a farmer that arrived in Canada in 1647. Pierre married Ozanne-Jeanne Achon on 2nd October 1657. 2

Early History of the Tremblet family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tremblet research. Another 21 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1577 and 1638 are included under the topic Early Tremblet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tremblet 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 Tremblet is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Tremblay, Tremblai, Tremblaie, Tremblé, Tremblés, Tremblée, Tremblait, Tremblett, Tremblais, Tremblaies, Tremley and many more.

Early Notables of the Tremblet family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tremblet Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tremblet 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 Tremblet 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 Tremblet were Corney Trembley settled in America in 1764; Jacques Tremblay settled in Québec in 1756; Ulrique Tremblay settled in Québec in 1815; Louis Tremblay settled in Qué.



  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print


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