Cajun Surnames

Flag of Acadiana - The Cajun Flag

Cajuns are an ethnic community in Louisiana whose ancestors were Acadian exiles – French-speaking colonists from Acadia (today’s Nova Scotia and surrounding areas in Canada). In the 1750s, the British expelled the Acadians from their Canadian homeland during an event known as Le Grand Dérangement (the Great Expulsion). Many of these displaced families eventually sought refuge in the bayous and prairies of southern Louisiana, then a colony of Spain. Their descendants, who adapted to life in Louisiana’s isolated swamps and prairies, became known as Cajuns, a name derived from the French word “Acadien” (Acadian). Cajun surnames thus primarily originate from those early Acadian French families.

Cajun surnames typically reflect this French heritage. Most Cajun last names can trace their roots back to 17th- and 18th-century Acadia in Canada, where French families settled and lived for generations. These surnames are overwhelmingly of French origin (often from regions like Brittany, Normandy, Poitou, or Aquitaine in France), though some have roots in other European languages due to historical intermingling in France. For example, many French names (including some common Cajun ones) were originally Germanic in origin because of shifting borders in Europe over the centuries. In Louisiana, Cajun surnames have remained distinct markers of this Acadian French lineage. In fact, genealogists note that certain Acadian surnames are quite distinctive in Louisiana and seldom overlap with other French-origin groups, making them excellent clues to Cajun ancestry.

It’s important to note that while Cajun surnames are primarily Acadian, over time the Cajun community also absorbed other French settlers’ names. Louisiana had other French colonists (often called Creoles, meaning native-born colonists) and even Germans and Spaniards who settled in the 18th century and intermarried with Acadians. Many of these families became part of Cajun society and culture. So, you may encounter Louisiana French surnames that are “Cajun” culturally even if that family didn’t originate in Acadia. Nonetheless, the core of Cajun family names comes from the Acadian refugees, and those names are the focus of Cajun genealogical research.

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From Acadia to Louisiana: How Cajun Surnames Came to Be HereFrom Acadia to Louisiana: How Cajun Surnames Came to Be Here

Understanding how Cajun families arrived in Louisiana is key to researching Cajun genealogy. In 1755, during the French and Indian War, British authorities in Nova Scotia began the Great Expulsion of the Acadians. Acadian farms and villages were destroyed, and thousands of Acadian men, women, and children were forcibly deported from their homeland. Families were separated and sent in waves to various destinations: some were transported to British American colonies along the Atlantic coast (from New England down to Georgia), others were sent to England, the Caribbean, or back to France. This upheaval scattered the Acadian people far and wide.

After years of hardship and wandering, many Acadian exiles found a new home in Louisiana. At the time, Louisiana was under Spanish control (Spain governed Louisiana for about 40 years in the late 18th century). The Spanish colonial authorities, eager to populate the region, allowed Acadian refugees to settle in Louisiana, offering land and support. Beginning in the mid-1760s, small groups of Acadians arrived in Louisiana. A larger influx came in 1785, when several ships carried Acadian families from France (where they had been living in exile) to Louisiana. These immigrants established communities in the Attakapas and Opelousas districts, along Bayou Teche, the prairies of southwest Louisiana, and the bayou lands of what became Acadiana.

Over time, the Acadian settlers adapted to the local climate and mixed with other groups, but they preserved their French language, Catholic religion, and close-knit family networks. Their surnames – Boudreaux, Thibodeaux, Broussard, Arceneaux, and so on – took root in Louisiana soil. Today’s Cajun last names are a direct legacy of those Acadian pioneers. As one history source notes, “in the 1750s, after Britain expelled French colonists called Acadians from what’s now Nova Scotia, many sought refuge in southern Louisiana’s bayou country. Scores of their descendants are today’s Cajuns.” In other words, the journey of these surnames from Acadia to Louisiana is the story of the Cajun people’s survival and resettlement. When you carry a Cajun surname in Louisiana, you carry a piece of that history.

Common Cajun Surnames and Their MeaningsCommon Cajun Surnames and Their Meanings

One fascinating aspect of surnames is that they often have meanings or stories behind them. Cajun surnames, being largely French in origin, frequently derive from occupations, descriptive nicknames, or the personal names of ancestors. Here are some common Cajun last names and their original meanings or origins:

Broussard: From the French word for “a man from the bush” or “woodcutter.” It literally means “bush-dweller” or woodsman. This name originated in southern France (Languedoc region) and was borne by one of the first Acadian leaders (Joseph Broussard, dit Beausoleil) who led families to Louisiana.
Guidry: Of French origin, derived from a Germanic personal name. It comes from waido (Old Germanic root meaning “hunt”). The Guidry name in Acadia is said to descend from a farmer, Claude Guédry, who was in Acadia by 1698. Thus, Guidry essentially means “hunter.”
Hébert (Hebert): From a Germanic compound name Heribert, where heri means “army” and berht means “bright or famous.” The surname Hebert has the meaning “bright or illustrious warrior”. It spread to France and then to Acadia in the 1600s. Today, Hébert (typically pronounced “AY-bear” in Cajun country) is noted as the most common Cajun surname in Louisiana.
Landry: Originating from the Germanic given name Landric (land = land, ric = ruler/power), Landry means “powerful ruler (of land)” or landlord. In medieval France, Landry was a first name that became a surname. Many Acadian Landrys were farmers, and the name was brought to Acadia in the 17th century. It remains one of the most common Cajun surnames in Louisiana.
LeBlanc: A very prevalent Acadian name meaning “the white”, likely referring to someone with light hair or fair complexion (from blanc, French for “white”). In northern France, Le Blanc could nickname a person with white hair or pale skin. (In Louisiana, some LeBlanc families later Anglicized the name to its literal translation “White” in English records.) LeBlanc families were among the Acadians exiled in 1755 – records note that people named LeBlanc were imprisoned by the British before deportation during the Grand Dérangement.
Thibodeaux (Thibodeau): A Cajun surname of French origin, coming from the medieval given name Thibault or Théobald. It means “bold or brave” (from Germanic roots Theud “people” and bald “bold”). The -eaux ending is a plural or family indicator common in French surnames (signifying the Thibodeau family). Thibodeaux is a classic Cajun name commonly heard in Louisiana.
Richard: Though spelled like the common English name, in French it’s pronounced “Ree-shard.” It comes from the Germanic name Ricard meaning “strong ruler” (ric = ruler, hard = strong). Many Acadian Richards came from French Brittany. The name is fairly common in Cajun areas and should not be confused with the English “Richard”; in old records it may appear as Ricard.
Boudreaux: A quintessential Cajun last name, Boudreaux (or Boudreau) likely derives from a French place or family name. One interpretation of its meaning is “dweller at the little bridge” (from boudin or boudin meaning a small bridge or crossing). Acadian Boudreaux families were numerous, and today “Boudreaux and Thibodeaux” are famously used as characters in Cajun jokes because the names are so representative of the culture.

Note: You may also encounter “dit names” in Cajun genealogy. Dit (French for "said" or "called") indicates an alias or nickname that became part of the surname. In colonial Louisiana, families sometimes adopted dit names due to translation or common first names. For example, an Acadian ancestor named Jean-Baptiste LeBlanc might appear in records as LeBlanc dit Jean (literally, “LeBlanc called John”) or his descendants might later use the surname White (an English translation of LeBlanc). Dit names can be confusing, but they are key to recognize – the alias was used almost like an alternate last name. When researching, be aware that the same family might be recorded under either the original name or the dit name. For instance, the Broussard family had members who went by Beausoleil as a dit name, and some Guidry were recorded as Laverdure in early records. Keep an eye out for these in church and civil records, as understanding them will help you connect the dots in your family tree.

Using Surnames to Trace Cajun AncestryUsing Surnames to Trace Cajun Ancestry

A last name can be a powerful starting point for tracing Cajun family history. Because of Louisiana’s unique history, surnames often reveal ethnic origins. As one Cajun genealogy guide explains, “in French Louisiana, surnames are usually the best indicators of ethnicity. Acadian surnames are quite distinctive.” In other words, if you have a known Cajun surname, it’s a strong clue that at least one branch of your family descends from those Acadian settlers. Recognizing that a surname is Cajun (Acadian) can focus your search on the right region and records – primarily Louisiana and Atlantic Canada – rather than, say, looking in the British colonies or other immigrant groups.

When you know a surname is Cajun, you can leverage resources dedicated to Acadian/Cajun genealogy. For example, many Cajun families have been studied and documented in compiled genealogies. Researchers like Bona Arsenault published extensive family histories of Acadian families, and organizations have indexed the Acadian exiles who came to Louisiana. The Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville, LA, for instance, maintains a “Wall of Names” and databases honoring the approximately 3,000 Acadian refugees who arrived in Louisiana, listing their family names and some details. (On the Acadian Memorial’s website, you can find an appendix of “Acadian Families Known to Have Immigrated into Colonial Louisiana,” which is essentially a list of Cajun pioneer surnames.) Checking such lists for your family name can confirm whether your ancestors were part of that original Acadian immigration wave.

Knowing the origin of a surname can also guide you to specific locations and records. Cajun families tended to settle in certain areas of south Louisiana. For example, if your surname is Hébert or Broussard, your ancestors might have settled in the Attakapas District (around St. Martinville and Lafayette) where many of those families received Spanish land grants. A LeBlanc or Landry might trace back to early settlements along Bayou Lafourche or the Acadian Coast (St. James/Ascension Parishes). Understanding these settlement patterns can point you to parish records or census entries in those locales.

Furthermore, surnames can help identify variations or spelling changes in records. Cajun surnames were often recorded by Spanish and American officials who spelled them phonetically or translated them. For instance, Guillot might appear as “Guillotte”, Doucet could be “Douglass” in some English records, and as mentioned, LeBlanc might be recorded as White. When doing your research, consider that the same surname may have multiple spellings. Checking indexes under each variant will ensure you don’t miss relevant records.

Also remember that not all French-sounding Louisiana surnames are Acadian. Some families came directly from France or Quebec after the Acadian migration, or were part of other groups (Creoles, German Coast settlers, etc.) who later mixed with Cajuns. For example, a name like Bonvillain or Crochet, while common in Cajun country, actually came from non-Acadian French immigrants in the nineteenth century. Such families became “Cajun by assimilation.” This means you should verify the specific lineage – perhaps that surname married into an Acadian line at some point. Nonetheless, the majority of the classic Cajun names have well-documented Acadian roots. If your surname is one of those distinctive Acadian names, you can be fairly confident you’re on the right track to Cajun ancestry.

In summary, use a Cajun surname as a roadmap:

Identify if it’s Acadian in origin (through surname lists or genealogy references).
Locate where Acadian families of that name settled in Louisiana.
Search for that name in targeted records (church registers, censuses, land grants) for those areas.
Watch for spelling variations or dit names, so you gather all possible information on that family line.

Cajun genealogy is blessed with a wealth of compiled data on surnames, which is a huge advantage for beginners. Once you link into a known Cajun family line, you can often find published family trees or database entries that carry your ancestry back several generations in Acadia. Just remember to double-check everything with actual records as you compile your family history.

Tips for Researching Cajun AncestryTips for Researching Cajun Ancestry

Starting a Cajun genealogical journey may seem daunting, but there are clear steps and resources to make it manageable. Here are some tips to guide you:

Begin at Home: Start with what you know and what your family can tell you. Gather names, dates, and places from relatives. Look for family documents such as old letters, a family Bible with births and marriages recorded, baptismal certificates, obituaries, photo captions, etc. These personal sources can provide crucial details (names of great-grandparents, maiden names, approximate dates) as a foundation. Jot down key facts and organize by surname and generation. For Cajun families, oral history can be especially rich – older family members might recall which parish (county) the family came from or mention “we’re related to the Broussards in St. Martin Parish,” which can be a valuable clue.
Survey What’s Already Researched: You might not have to start from scratch. Many Cajun families have been researched by others. Check online genealogy forums, message boards, and websites dedicated to Cajun/Acadian genealogy. Websites like Acadian.org often have lineage information or even family trees uploaded for common Cajun surnames. You can also search the major genealogy databases (FamilySearch, MyHeritage) for your ancestor’s names – you may find existing family tree entries or compiled information. While you should verify any details you find, these resources can jump-start your work by pointing you to known ancestors or relevant records.
Use Census Records: Census data is invaluable for 19th and 20th century Cajun ancestors. The U.S. federal census was conducted in Louisiana starting in 1810 (although 1810 and 1820 are incomplete for some areas) and every ten years thereafter. The 1850 census is the first that lists every household member by name (earlier ones list only heads of families). By checking the 1850, 1860, 1870, etc. censuses, you can often trace a Cajun family over time – see the ages, family members, and neighbors (often also relatives). These records place your ancestors in a specific parish (county) at specific dates. They also often indicate birthplace; for example, an 1850 entry might list an elderly person born in “Acadia” or “Canada,” which is a big hint of an Acadian immigrant. Even colonial-era censuses exist: when Louisiana was under Spanish rule, officials took local censuses. As one research guide notes, “colonial church and government records — even censuses — can help locate pre-1803 ancestors.” So, for earlier Cajun settlers, look for published transcripts of the 1766, 1777, or 1785 Spanish colonial censuses of areas like Attakapas or Opelousas. Many of these are available in Louisiana genealogy books or archives.
Dive into Church Records: Church registers are the bedrock of Cajun genealogy. Most Cajuns were Catholic, and Catholic churches recorded baptisms, marriages, and burials. These sacramental records often go back to the 1700s in Louisiana. For example, after the Acadians arrived, you start seeing Acadian names in Louisiana church books by 1765. Church records will give you dates and family relationships (parents’ names, etc.) that allow you to leap back generation by generation. The best way to access these is through published abstracts and local archives. Genealogists have compiled the early South Louisiana church records into multi-volume publications. In particular, the late Rev. Donald J. Hébert published a 47-volume set Southwest Louisiana Records and a 12-volume set South Louisiana Records, extracting baptisms, marriages, and burials from church archives across Acadiana. Likewise, the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Archdiocese of New Orleans have published volumes of their early church registers. These compiled books (available in libraries and for purchase) are often the first stop for Cajun researchers. As one resource explains, “the best resource for these records are the multi-volume sets done by Rev. Donald Hébert, the New Orleans diocese, and the Baton Rouge diocese.” If you can’t access the books, you can contact the church parish or the diocesan archive where your ancestors lived – they can often provide copies of original entries for a fee. Many old church records are also digitized or indexed on FamilySearch. Spend time with baptism and marriage records; they will identify parents and often grandparents, allowing you to construct your family tree accurately.
Check Land and Probate Records: After securing the basic birth-marriage-death info from church records and census, turn to land and court records for richer detail. Many Acadian refugees received land grants from the Spanish or later filed claims when Louisiana became part of the United States. The Louisiana State Land Office archives maintain records of these early land grants and purchases. These documents can pinpoint exactly where a family settled. In fact, “records of the State Land Office can tell exactly where a person settled in Louisiana, and the accompanying maps can help locate relatives on neighboring tracts.” If your ancestor got a tract along Bayou Teche, the land records might show the names of adjacent landowners – who could be in-laws or cousins. Additionally, probate records (wills and succession papers) at parish courthouses are gold mines for genealogists. They list heirs and their relationships, and can reveal married names of daughters, family property, and even inventories that give a glimpse of ancestors’ daily lives. If you suspect an ancestor died in a certain parish, look up if there’s an index or abstraction of wills for that parish. Many Louisiana parishes have published volumes of successions or online indexes. These civil records flesh out the family story beyond names and dates.
Leverage Genealogy Societies and Libraries: Louisiana has active genealogy groups, especially in Cajun regions, that publish local records and can assist researchers. For example, the Imperial St. Landry Genealogical Society publishes the quarterly N’oublié Pas with St. Landry and Acadia Parish records, and the Terrebonne Genealogical Society publishes Terrebonne Life Lines, focusing on Lafourche and Terrebonne parish families. The Le Comité des Archives de la Louisiane (based in Baton Rouge) is another group that supports the Louisiana State Archives and produces a newsletter (Raconteur) about newly available records. As a beginner, consider reaching out to these societies or using their publications (many are available at libraries) – they often have compiled indexes, pedigree charts, and member expertise on local Cajun lines. Libraries in Louisiana also have special genealogy collections. The Edith Garland Dupré Library at University of Louisiana Lafayette, for instance, focuses on Acadiana genealogy and has extensive resources on Cajun families. Local parish libraries (like those in Opelousas, Houma, Lafayette, etc.) frequently have “Louisiana Rooms” with genealogy books, family files, and microfilmed newspapers. Don’t hesitate to use these – librarians can be very helpful in pointing you toward relevant materials.
Keep Records and Cite Sources: As you accumulate information, keep track of where each piece came from. Genealogy can get confusing, especially when families reuse first names frequently (Jean-Baptiste, Joseph, Marie, etc., appear in nearly every generation of Cajun families!). By noting your sources, you can resolve conflicts and go back to re-check details as needed. For beginners, a simple research log or family group sheets can organize this well. Also, be mindful of “cousin recycling” – Cajun lines often intermarried, so you might find the same surname appearing in multiple branches. Good notes will help you untangle these connections without mixing up individuals.

By following these steps – starting at home, using the core records (census, church), and then branching out to land, court, and community resources – you will gradually uncover your Cajun ancestors. Each record is like a clue in a treasure hunt that leads you further back in time. Enjoy the journey, and don’t be afraid to ask for help in the genealogical community; Cajun researchers are usually very enthusiastic about sharing knowledge once you show interest in their heritage!

ConclusionConclusion

Researching Cajun surnames and family history is a rewarding endeavor that ties you into one of America’s most distinctive cultural legacies. By understanding the origins of Cajun surnames in Acadian French heritage, following the historical trail from Acadia to Louisiana, and using those surnames as a key to unlock records, even a beginner can start piecing together their Cajun lineage. Remember to utilize the wealth of resources available – from church baptismal books and census records to land grants and local archives – and take advantage of Louisiana’s institutions that preserve Cajun genealogical records.