Origin of the surname Bienvenu

This interesting surname is of medieval French origin, and derives from the Old French male given name "Bienvenu", translating as "apposite, well-chosen", the feminine form of the name being "Bienvenue". Surnames derived from given names are the oldest and most pervasive surname type, and because European society has almost invariably been patriarchal throughout history, the father's personal name (rather than that of the mother) has been handed on as a distinguishing epithet to successive generations.

Recordings of the surname from French Church Registers include: Jean Bienvenu, christening witness at Rumigny, Ardennes, on January 25th 1607, and Etienne Bienvenu, who married Laurence Gasnault at St. Augustin, Angers, Maine-et-Loire, on January 29th 1641. Four christenings of children born to Pierre and Elizabeth Bienvenu were recorded in French Huguenot London churches during the years 1719 to 1727, indicating that the name was in part, introduced into England by French Huguenot refugees fleeing religious persecution in their own country following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis X1V in 1685. The first christening recorded is that of Elizabeth Bienvenu at Glasshouse Street and Leicester Fields French Huguenot Church on July 26th 1719. A Coat of Arms granted to the Bienvenu family of France is recorded heraldically in Rietstap's "Armorial General", and depicts a silver saltire engrailed between four golden horseshoes on an azure shield. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Nicolas Bienvenu, which was dated August 3rd 1604, marriage to Jeanne Caureau, at Notre Dame de L'Esvieres, Angers, Maine-et-Loire, France, during the reign of King Henry 1V of the House of Bourbon, 1589 - 1610. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Bienvenu. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of bienvenu is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. Research into the possible origins of bienvenu leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname bienvenu is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation.

The surname Bienvenu around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname bienvenu. There is a considerable probability that bienvenu has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where bienvenu is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname bienvenu provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Bienvenu

The historical chronicle of bienvenu is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named bienvenu are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname bienvenu, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of bienvenu developed.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname bienvenu, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of bienvenu could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about bienvenu and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Bienvenu

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished bienvenus throughout human history. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname bienvenu, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname bienvenu were recorded by the chroniclers of the time.

The surname Bienvenu and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of bienvenu. The bibliography collects information related to the surname bienvenu, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of bienvenu are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of bienvenu, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Bienvenu