The French Connection

The French Connection

To someone with a passing knowledge of French, the last four letters of the surname Gagnon would indicate its country of origin. Like many other surnames, Gagnon is an occupational name for a farmer or cultivator. The name is derived from the Old French word “gagneau” which means to “till” or “cultivate.”¹

The French connection doesn’t begin and end with the Gagnon name. Other French names in the North American Gagnon line include Drouin, Tremblay, Cochon, Gagne, Lacroix, Chapelier, Lepage, Gaumond, Daunais, St. Pierre, Bourgery, Falcon, Simard, Bonneau, Charles, Niel, Robert, Legendre, and Dauphin.² Tremblay and Gagnon are among the most common French names in North America.

On the Remillard side the roots in France are even more extensive.³ In addition to Remillard we have the names Helie, Labbe, Pepin, Lapierre, Pinsonneault, Falcon, Tremblay, Longtin, Lambert, Herbert, Dupuis, Richard, Blanchard, Creste (Crete), Denis, Boucher, Gaudin, Labonte, Morisset, Choret, and others.

 

Next:   La Gaignonierre

 

 

1Other sources claim the name Gagnon comes from the Old French “gagnon” meaning “guard dog” used as a nickname for an over aggressive man. However, it seems doubtful that an unflattering nickname became a family name. Also, Gagnon is a rather recent spelling variation, occurring most often in Canada and the United States.

2Some individuals also were known by alternate last names, called dit names. The English translation of “dit” is “said.”  Many colonists of Nouvelle France added dit names as distinguishers. The dit name may signify an origin or land owned, a name of an ancestor, and such. Dit names were common among army soldiers.

3The Remillard line is 92% French in origin. The Gagnon line is 62-75% French.