The name Lapierre is from the Languedoc region of southern France, it came from the ancient Greek personal name, Petros and the Biblical name, Peter, meaning “rock.”
Ancient History
Languedoc is a region in the south of France. The family name lapierre is believed to have
originated in this region. Additional to its present boundaries it also included Toulouse and part of the Central Massif. Its capital is Toulouse. The Romans occupied the region in the year 120 B.C. In the 5th century it was invaded by the Vandales, Sueves and the Visigoths. Later, in the 5th century, the Franks overran Languedoc. The capital, Toulouse, was also the capital of the ancient kingdom of Aquitaine. The family name lapierre was first found in Languedoc where this impressive family held a family seat since ancient times.
The family expanded, prospered and established the branches of the Lords of Saint Marcel, of Nîmes and of Bernis-Calvière. Bertrand III De Pierre was married four times, first in 1540 to Jeanne De Chalancon-Polignac, second to Christine De Geys in 1548, third to Guisette Duranc De Vibrac in 1550, and finally to Louis D’Artfeld in 1557. An important member of the military, Jean II, Lord of Bernis, was the mestre de camp (Commander of a cavalry regiment) under Henri IV during the 1500’s. His son, Jean-Jacques, Lord of Bernis, commanded the Phalsbourg regiment, but he was killed at the Fontanette battle in Milanais in the 1600’s. Descending from Jean, Joachim De Pierre, Lord of St-Marcel and of Bernis, was a Captain of the Cavalry and, in 1697, he married Marie-Elisabeth Du Chastel, daughter of Christophe, Baron of Condres, and of Louise Du Chastel, Baroness of Châteauneuf.
A decorated member of the military, François De Pierre, Lord of Loubatière, was a Captain of the Montconseil regiment who received the Grand-Cross of Saint-Jean of Jerusalem in the 1700’s. One of the most remarkable members of the family, Pons-Simon, Viscount of Bernis, then Marquis of Pierre-Bernis, started off as a King’s Page, then he became the Captain of the King’s Dragoons. He continued to receive promotions: in 1771, Commander of the Dragoons; in 1776, Colonel of the Soissonais regiment; in 1784, Brigadier of the King’s armies; in 1788, Camp Marshal of the King’s armies, and then Baron of the Estates of Languedoc and of Albigeois. Many other members of the family received important honors for their military and civil services, but they are too numerous to list.
Pierre Lapierre, born in 1656, son of Blaise and Jeanne of St. Martin, travelled from France to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in the Canadian province of Quebec he married Marie Gaudin, born on 29th April 1662, daughter of Charles and Marie, at Ange-Gardien on 8th October 1687.
Spelling Variations
Changes of spelling have occurred in most surnames. Usually a person spoke his version of
his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. This depended on accent, and
local accents frequently changed the spelling of a name. Some variables were adopted by
different branches of the family name. Hence, we have variations in your name, lapierre,
some of which are Pierre, Pierres, De Pierre, De Pierres, Pyerre, Pyerres, De Pyerre, De
Pyerres, Lapierre, Lapierres, La Pierre, La Pierres, La Pyerre, La Pyerres, Lanphere, Lanpher, Lanphier and Lamphier, which were shown in the evolution of the name from older times.
Early History
Languedoc, in the 10th century, was ravaged by the Muslim invasions from the Moors. From the 11th and 12th century it passed through the hegemony of the Lords of Toulouse. It fell prey to the ambitions of the Kings of Aragon and of the Capetians. Languedoc was also distressed during the Hundred Years War and was severely ravaged. In the 16th century the region also suffered from the religious conflicts between the traditional and the reformed church.
The name lapierre was found in Languedoc where this distinguished family held a family
seat with lands and manors. This ancient feudal House was one of the most important in
Languedoc and formed some of the most notable alliances with other great Houses. The
family’s history begins in the year 1000 when Pierre I De Pierre was the Viscount of
Fenouillides. His son, Pons, became the Baron of Ganges. Several members of this prominent family served in the military where they defended their King, country and their beliefs. In recognition of their loyal and dedicated service, many members received lands and titles. An important alliance was formed between the sovereign House of Anduze and this family in 1116, when Raymond De Pierre married Vierne D’Anduze. A notable member of the army, Pons, fought with Simon de Montfort in the Albigeois Crusade in 1217. His son, Guillaume, settled in Nîmes by 1286 where he was the Lord of Aigues-Mortes and a Knight of Saint-Jean of Jerusalem. This noble family acquired more lands and titles in 1380 when Bernard married Catherine De Saint-Marcel who was the heiress of the land and seigniory of St-Marcel. Their son, Jacques, Lord of St-Marcel, married Aigline De Sarrazin, daughter of Jean, who was the head of one of the most ancient families of Languedoc, on April 9, 1462.
The Great Migration
France became aware of her European leadership in the early 16th century. The New World beckoned. First were the explorers, then came missionaries and settlers The territories along the eastern seaboard of America were New France, New England, New Holland, and New Spain. Jacques Cartier made the first of three voyages to New France in 1534. The Jesuits, Champlain and the Church missionaries came in 1608. His plans for developing Quebec fell far short of the objectives of the Company of New France. Champlain brought the first true migrant, Louis Hebert, a Parisian apothecary, and his family, who arrived in 1617.
American Settlers
• Jean Jacques LaPierre, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753
• Michel Lapierre, who arrived in South Carolina in 1755
• Michell Lapierre, who landed in South Carolina in 1755-1756
• Francois LaPierre, who arrived in South Carolina in 1763
• Francoise LaPierre, aged 13, who landed in South Carolina in 1763
• Magdelaine LaPierre, who landed in South Carolina in 1763
• Antonio Lapierre, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1868
• Eugene Lapierre, aged 31, who landed in America from Colmare France, in 1901
• Jean Lapierre, aged 51, who landed in America from San Juan, in 1905
• Julienne Lapierre, aged 21, who settled in America from Dorignie, France, in 1907
• Emile Lapierre, aged 54, who immigrated to the United States from Paris, France, in
1908
• Mrs. Rene Lapierre, aged 30, who settled in America from Paris, France, in 1908
• Amandine Lapierre, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from Paris,
France, in 1911
• Camille LaPierre, aged 21, who settled in America from Kingston, Jamaica, in 1915
• Joseph Lapierre, aged 22, who landed in America from Marseilles, France, in 1920
• Regina Francine Lapierre, aged 26, who landed in America from Paris, France, in
1920
• Gaston Lapierre, aged 24, who immigrated to America from Brussels, Belgium, in
1922
• Marguerite Lapierre, aged 21, who landed in America from St. Etionne, France, in
1922
Surname Variants of lapierre
• Lewis Lapierres, who landed in Virginia in 1701
• John LaPiere, who landed in Carolina in 1707-1708
• Jean Pierre, aged 20, who settled in Louisiana in 1719
• Jean Pierre, aged 20, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719
• Louis Pierre, who landed in Louisiana in 1719
• Marguerite Pierre, aged 17, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1785 • Miss Marguerite Pierre, (b. 1768), aged 17, French settler traveling aboard the ship
“La Ville d’Archangel” arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 3rd December 1785
• Thomas LePierre, who landed in New York in 1798
• Louis LeClex Pierre, who landed in New York in 1798
• Santiago Pierrard, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1800
• Bernd Georg Pierre, who landed in America in 1814-1820
• Dominick Pierre, aged 28, who settled in New Orleans in 1820
• Noel Pierre, aged 26, who arrived in New Orleans in 1821
• J. Pierre, aged 24, who settled in Philadelphia in 1822
• William B. Lamphier, who arrived in Providence, Rhode Island in 1837
• Louis Pierron, aged 33, who arrived in Missouri in 1841
• Andrew H Pierre, who arrived in Mobile County, Ala in 1845
• Baptiste Perreaux, aged 30, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1850
• S Peyre, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851
• D. Pierre, who arrived at San Francisco in 1852
Canadian Settlers
• Pierre LaPierre, who arrived in Montreal in 1653
• Pierre Lapierre, who landed in Montreal in 1659
• Yves Lapierre, son of Jean and Jeanne, who married Louise Allaire, daughter of
François and Marie-Madeleine, in Sorel, Quebec on 14th February 1743
• Joseph Lapierre, son of Jean and Anne-Charlotte, who married Marie-Amable
Martineau, daughter of Pierre and Madeleine, in Sault-au-Récollet, Quebec on 24th
November 1755
• François Lapierre, son of Jean-François and Madeleine, who married Louise Robin,
daughter of Joseph and Louise, in Sainte-Rose, Quebec on 26th February 1759
Surname Variants of lapierre
• Le Grand Pierre, who landed in Montreal in 1653
• Pierre-Philippe Pierre, who landed in Montreal in 1741
Notables for the Surname lapierre
• Jean-Charles Lapierre (1956-2016) Canadian television broadcaster and politician,
Member of Parliament for Shefford (1979-1993), Member of Parliament for
Outremont (2004-2007), killed in a plane that crashed on approach to Îles-de-la-
Madeleine Airport
• Maxim Lapierre (b.1985) Canadian NHL hockey player
• Nicolas Lapierre (b.1984) French race car driver
• Odette Lapierre (b.1955) Canadian Olympic long-distance runner
• Edmond Anthony Lapierre (1866-1960) Canadian politician, member of the Canadian
House of Commons (1921-1930)
• Dominique Lapierre (b.1931) French author
Surname Variants of lapierre
• Leverton Pierre (b.1998) Haitian professional footballer
• Odile Pierre (1932-2020) French organist, composer and academic teacher
• Joseph Octave DelePierre (1802-1879) Belgium author and antiquary, born at Bruges
in Belgium, 12 March 1802, son of Joseph Delepierre who was for many years
Receveur-Général of the province of West Flanders [6]
• Sully-André Peyre (1890-1961) French poet and essayist from Le Cailar, Gard, France
• Joseph Peyré (1892-1968) French writer who won the Prix Goncourt in 1935 for Sang
et Lumières
• Henri Maurice Peyre (1901-1988) French-born American linguist, literary scholar
and Sterling Professor of French Emeritus at Yale University
• Thibault Peyre (b.1992) French footballer who currently plays for Union SG in the
Belgian First Division B
• Florent Peyre (b.1980) French comedian, known for his work on the comedy show On
n’demande qu’à en rire
• Alfred Pierre (1959-1991) aged 32, American crew member from New York City of the
Andrea Gail, lost during the “Perfect Storm” of 1991; the crew members’ plight was
inspiration of the 1997 book and a 2000 film adaptation of the same name
• Patrick Pierrard, French politician, Prefect of Allier
• Claude Pierrard, French journalist, known for his work on TF1 in the 1970s
• Bruno Peyronel (1919-1982) Italian naturalist and botanist, eponym of The Giardino
Botanico Alpino “Bruno Peyronel” in Turin, Italy
• Danny Peyronel (b.1953) born Daniel-Augusto Peyrone, an English singer,
songwriter, keyboard player and producer
• Camille Pierron, French owner of a farm at Buirefontaine, France who with her
daughter Annette helped Jews during World War II saving 10 escapees, both
ennobled as “Righteous Among the Nations”
• William Pierron, American politician, Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly in
1881 and 1891
• Veronique Pierron (b.1989) French short-track speed-skater at the World
Championships in 2013
• Jean-Baptiste Pierre de Semellé, French Divisional General during the French
Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815
• Jean Ignace Pierre, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and
Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815
• Elie Marie Pierron, French Divisional General during the French Revolutionary and
Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815
• André Pacifique Peyre, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary
and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815
Thanks to the hard work of my cousin Rick Landry, work that took over two years we have a very complete history of the Landry Clan that lived and eventually emigrated into the colonies. Unfortunately I don’t have two years to devote to do the necessary research to replicate his efforts. I started this chapter by utilizing a generic site that gave a analysis of the Lapierre surname. This provided a good starting place to start my narration. I included all the settlers listed in the web page to provide a starting point for any of my readers who would like to do their own research. Based on my extensive family trees that I have created and comparing them with the list provided by the Houseonames.com website, I have been able to find a plausible starting place for the Lapierre family immigrating to Canada. Pierre Lapierre born in 1643 landed in Montreal in 1659, which made him a young 16 years of age. We must remember that our ancestors matured at a much earlier age back then, they had too due to the much shorter average life spans. Now I need to clarify one thing, people did live into their 70’s and 80’s back then, it just wasn’t as common as it is today, and there was a great deal of children dying at a very early age which also helped to drop the average age.
As far as I can tell Pierre Lapierre was our first ancestor to come to the new continent, however, I will start my narrative back in France our original homeland, where I was able to discover our earlier ancestors.
RENÉ MEUNIÈR dit Lapierre dit Mesnier was born in 1569 in Maine, Charente, France. He married Marie Trotier in 1589 in Ille-et-Vilaine, France. They had four children in 33 years. He died on April 29, 1622, in his hometown at the age of 53, and was buried in Cesson, Côtes-d’Armor, France. Marie Trotier was born in December 1570 in Le Mans, Sarthe, France. She married Edme Marceau in 1589 in Ille-et-Vilaine, France. She then married RENÉ MEUNIÈR dit Lapierre dit Mesnier and they had four children together. She died on November 3, 1647, in Maine, Charente, France, having lived a long life of 76 years.
When Rene Meunier dit Lapierre dit Mesnier was born in 1590 in Sarthe, France, his father, RENÉ, was 21 and his mother, Marie, was 20. He married Marie Leroux in Ille-et-Vilaine, France. They had five children in 16 years. He died on November 3, 1647, at the age of 57, and was buried in La Flèche, Sarthe, France. When Marie Leroux was born in 1589 in Le Mans, Sarthe, France, her father, Jean, was 27, and her mother, Jeanne, was 27.. She died on November 3, 1647, at the age of 58.
When Bertrand Meunier Lapierre Mesnier was born on October 7, 1622, in Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine, France, his father RENÉ MEUNIÈR, was 33 and his mother Marie Trotier , was 26. He married Madeleine Guibour in 1636 in his hometown. They had eight children in 21 years. He died on October 12, 1675, in his hometown at the age of 53. When Madeleine Guibour was born in 1627, her father, Rene, was 36, and her mother, Julliene, was 33. She died in 1673 at the age of 46.
When Pierre Meunier dit LaPierre dit Mesnier was born on January 1, 1643, in Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine, France, their father, Bertrand, was 20, and their mother, Marie, was 15. He made the journey to Canada on 1659 at the age of 16. He married Barbe Richaume dit Petrus (Meunier)(Garnier dit Laforge) on October 12, 1675, in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. They had 15 children in 18 years. He died on January 4, 1695, in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada, at the age of 52, and was buried there. When Barbe Richaume dit Petrus (Meunier)(Garnier dit Laforge) was born on June 22, 1659, in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, her father, Pierre, was 24, and her mother, Marie, was 27. She married Pierre Meunier and they had 15 children together. She then married Francois Garnier dit LaForge on November 19, 1703, in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. She died on January 17, 1725, in Contrecoeur, Quebec, Canada, at the age of 65, and was buried there.
When Francois Gabriel Meunier dit Lapierre was born in 1682 in Contrecoeur, Quebec, Canada, his father, Pierre, was 39 and his mother, Barbe, was 23. He married Marguerite LeDoux dit Ladouceur on August 3, 1711, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada. They had 15 children in 18 years. He died on August 2, 1771, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada, having lived a long life of 89 years. When Marguerite LeDoux dit Ladouceur was born on September 6, 1688, in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada, their father, Louis, was 59 and their mother, Marie, was 25. She married Francois Gabriel Meunier dit Lapierre and they had 15 children together. She also had one daughter from another relationship. She died on March 14, 1757, in Varennes, Quebec, Canada, at the age of 68, and was buried in Verchères, Quebec, Canada.
When Pierre Meunier Lapierre was born on October 16, 1715, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada, his father, Francois, was 26 and his mother, Marguerite, was 27. He married Marie Jeanne Anne Charron dit Ducharme and they had three children together. He then married Marie Marguerite Lussier and they had 15 children together. He died on February 28, 1802, in his hometown, having lived a long life of 86 years. When Marie Jeanne Anne Charron dit Ducharme was born on November 14, 1724, her father, Pierre, was 26, and her mother, Marie, was 21. She married Pierre Meunier Lapierre on February 24, 1743, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada. They had three children during their marriage. She died as a young mother on March 27, 1748, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada, at the age of 23. When Marie Marguerite Lussier was born on May 27, 1731, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada, her father, Jacques, was 33, and her mother, M, was 31. She married Pierre Meunier Lapierre on April 28, 1749, in her hometown. They had 15 children in 32 years. She died on September 24, 1775, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada, at the age of 44.
When Joseph Meunier dit Lapierre was born on April 6, 1751, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada, his father, Pierre, was 36 and his mother, Marie, was 20. He had one son with Marie Josephe Jarret Beauregard in 1786. He died on December 14, 1812, in his hometown at the age of 61. When Marie was born on May 1, 1765, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada, her father, Pierre, was 30, and her mother, Marie, was 27. She had one son with Joseph in 1786. She died on March 12, 1845, having lived a long life of 79 years.
When Joseph Meuner Lapierre was born on April 13, 1786, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada, his father, Joseph, was 35 and his mother, Marie, was 20. He had one son with Marie Elizabeth Willcott in 1818. He died on February 8, 1850, in West Chazy, New York, at the age of 63. When Marie was born in 1786, her father, Abner, was 39, and her mother, Catherine, was 33. She died in 1865 having lived a long life of 79 years.
Joseph Lapierre the 3rd was born April 29, 1818 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Monteregie, Quebec, Canada. He married Marie Julia Terrien in 1840. They had nine children together. He died on January 11, 1895 and was buried in Clinton County, New York. When Marie Julia Terrien was born in 1817 in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, her father, Thomas, was 17. She married Joseph Meunier dit Lapierre in 1840. They had nine children in 17 years. She died in 1862 in Chazy, New York, at the age of 45.
When Joseph J Lapierre was born on April 29, 1848, in Chazy, New York, his father, Joseph, was 30 and his mother, MarieJulia, was 31. He had one child with Amelia Mailoux, one child with Amelia Mildred Smith, and one child with Amelia Mildred Smith. He died on August 14, 1906, in New York at the age of 58. When Amelia Mailoux was born in 1853 in New York, her father, Joseph, was 50, and her mother, Flavie, was 50. She died in 1906 in Chazy, New York, at the age of 53.
When Leon Exmore Lapierre was born on December 30, 1884, in New York, his father, Joseph, was 38 and his mother, Ametia, was 34. He married Flora Mayo on November 17, 1902, in Scotia, New York. They had three children during their marriage. He died as a young father on December 16, 1918, in Chazy, New York, at the age of 33. When Flora Mayo was born in 1885 in New York, her father, Joseph, was 48, and her mother, Flora, was 17. She married Leon Exmore Lapierre and they had three children together. She then married Henry Jubert on January 24, 1920, in New York. She died on November 14, 1930, in Poughkeepsie, New York, at the age of 45.
When Herman E. LaPierre (LaPier) was born on January 4, 1904, in Chazy, New York, his father, Leon, was 19 and his mother, Flora, was also 19. He had one son and five daughters with Cecile A Brown. He was a retired farmer and U.S. Navy veteran. He died on April 3, 1986, in Pasco, Florida, at the age of 82, and was buried in Clinton, New York. He was survived by one Brother Hilliard Lapierre and five children. When Cecile A Brown was born in 1905 in Lowell, Massachusetts, her father, Joseph, was 36, and her mother, Agnes, was 33. She had one son and five daughters with Herman E. LaPierre. She died on January 20, 1961, in Chazy, New York, at the age of 56, and was buried in Clinton, New York. His remaining son Herman Lapierre Jr. and his two two sons Christopher and Craig will carry on the Lapierre name.
Resources
houseoframes.com, “lapierre History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms.”;