Show ContentsVienne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Vienne family

The surname Vienne was first found in Burgundy (French: Bourgogne), an administrative and historical region of east-central France where this renowned family held a family seat since ancient times.

Descendants of this family divided into numerous branches as they prospered and established themselves in various regions. The Mirebeau branch of the family was established by Jean Vienne, Lord of Mirebel-en-Montagne around 1283, and one of his descendants was the Chamberlain to the Duke in 1399. Another Jean de Vienne was the Admiral of France in 1373, but unfortunately, he was killed at Nicopolis in 1396. Many members of this family were granted lands and titles in recognition of their bravery and acts of heroism displayed on the battlefield. Philippe, Hugues V's son, was the founder of the branch of the family of Lords of Pimont, Ruffey and the Counts of Commarin, during the 1300's. Notable among this branch of the family are: Gérard, Knight of the Order of the King and of Queen Eléonore of Hungary, Knight of Honour in the Parliament of Dijon in 1515; Jean, Baron of Ruffey, Governor of Bourbonnais and a Knight of Orders; Jacques-François, Lieutenant-General in Bourgogne, and the father of Charles, Baron of Châteauneuf and of Chevreau, and the Lieutenant-General of armies; Henri, Count of Commarin and the Lieutenant-General of Commarin who resigned in 1671; and Louis-Henri, Count of Vienne and Colonel of the Cavalry who died in 1793. A distinguished author of his time, Joseph Marie Vien, known also as "the Elder," lived from 1716 to 1809. Other branches of this noble family include the Barons of Chevreau, the Pagny branch, the Lords of Rollans and of Listenois, the Barons of Clairvaux, and the Lords of Saint-Georges and of Sainte-Croix. The family were deeply religious and some members of the family joined the clergy. The Archbishops of Besançon and of Rouen, and the Priests of Langres and of Chalon were from this family.

Jean Vien, born in 1648, son of Vivien-Jean and Suzanne (née Herault), travelled from France to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Catherine Gateau, born in 1651, daughter of Odart and Genevieve (née Drouet), on 29th November 1671. They remained together in Quebec and had children that all carried on the surname of Vien or Viens. [1]

Early History of the Vienne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vienne research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1256 and 1373 are included under the topic Early Vienne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vienne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Vienne, Viennes, Viene, Vienes, Vyenne, Vyennes, Vyene, Vyenes, Vien, Viens, Vyen, Vyens, Le Vienne and many more.

Early Notables of the Vienne family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • Jean de Vienne, Admiral of France in 1373

Vienne Ranking

In France, the name Vienne is the 3,532nd most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. [2]


United States Vienne migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Vienne Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Aug Vienne, aged 35, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1829 [3]

Contemporary Notables of the name Vienne (post 1700) +

  • Dr. Jacques Vienne, Physician, Paris


  1. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. 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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