- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Cajun surnames
Posted on 2/6/22 at 8:47 am to Epaminondas
Posted on 2/6/22 at 8:47 am to Epaminondas
quote:
many of the people in the area originally were French but not Acadian French.
Growing up in south Louisiana, as a kid I assumed every last name that wasn’t English was Cajun. It’s kind of cool to learn about these last name origins.
There’s far more non Cajun French in my area than Cajun, and more German too.
0
Posted on 2/6/22 at 8:49 am to Tiger Ugly
Always knew my last name was rare but didn't realize how rare. Only 359 in the US according to census data, 500ish in France. Everything I've read says it is a Cajun surname but is not on the list posted on page 1.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 8:52 am to BoogaBear
Well what is it?
Posted on 2/6/22 at 9:19 am to Bamafig
Landry, stanga, molinare, edwards, and edgar
Posted on 2/6/22 at 9:42 am to PacoPicopiedra
So France?
Posted on 2/6/22 at 10:13 am to Tiger Ugly
that was the derogatory name used by Texas and Oklahoma oil men for Cajuns.
SEriously, pre mid 60's even Cajun was considered offensive and anyone who spoke French was called a Frenchman, even if black. There was no distinction between French who came from France, or French who were kicked out of Nova Scotia and their land stolen by the British, or those who came from Napoleon's army in Egypt to Avoyelles Parish.
Hell, as a colony of France, Louisiana was settled more by German farmers than the French by a wide margin.
I know a few from Lake Chuck of the upper class old timber families who say they are Scots Irish but actually from Denmark or Germany. There was hardly a "Frenchman past Laffy with most being German farmers who adopted the local language and customs, French. Then in WWII, lots of Cajuns moved to Lake Chuck for the refinery and chemical plant jobs.
FWIW, Lake Chuck is not that Cajun in culture, but I found more Cajun than Baton Rouge by a LOT, when I moved to BR. I still find BR to be more North Louisiana Redneck than anything.
SEriously, pre mid 60's even Cajun was considered offensive and anyone who spoke French was called a Frenchman, even if black. There was no distinction between French who came from France, or French who were kicked out of Nova Scotia and their land stolen by the British, or those who came from Napoleon's army in Egypt to Avoyelles Parish.
Hell, as a colony of France, Louisiana was settled more by German farmers than the French by a wide margin.
I know a few from Lake Chuck of the upper class old timber families who say they are Scots Irish but actually from Denmark or Germany. There was hardly a "Frenchman past Laffy with most being German farmers who adopted the local language and customs, French. Then in WWII, lots of Cajuns moved to Lake Chuck for the refinery and chemical plant jobs.
FWIW, Lake Chuck is not that Cajun in culture, but I found more Cajun than Baton Rouge by a LOT, when I moved to BR. I still find BR to be more North Louisiana Redneck than anything.
This post was edited on 2/6/22 at 10:15 am
Posted on 2/6/22 at 10:29 am to Greenie10
quote:
Hebert, Guidry, Becnel, Abadie, Bourgeois
I can't believe it took four pages for someone to mention Bourgeois.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 10:55 am to CitizenK
quote:
FWIW, Lake Chuck is not that Cajun in culture, but I found more Cajun than Baton Rouge by a LOT, when I moved to BR. I still find BR to be more North Louisiana Redneck than anything.
People will down vote you but you are correct. Being from North Louisiana I have always had the opinion that Baton Rouge was more like Shreveport than Lafayette.
On a side note, my maternal grandfather and grandmother were fluent in French and did not teach my mother or uncle how to speak French because it was looked down upon. Sad.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 10:59 am to CitizenK
quote:
FWIW, Lake Chuck is not that Cajun in culture, but I found more Cajun than Baton Rouge by a LOT, when I moved to BR. I still find BR to be more North Louisiana Redneck than anything.
BR is more ghetto than anything
Posted on 2/6/22 at 11:02 am to p_charpie
quote:
Fontenot, Beauchamps, Trahan. Bergeron is another, pronounced bahjerahn. I happen to have one that's pretty uncommon.
Looking at ur bio, im gonna guess you’re a Charpentier .. pronounced “Shar-paw-SHAY”, of course.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 11:07 am to CitizenK
Posted on 2/6/22 at 11:09 am to CitizenK
Lots of German or “Frenchified” German surnames in the river parishes: Dufrene/Dufresne, Matherne, etc.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 11:10 am to BoogaBear
quote:
Always knew my last name was rare but didn't realize how rare. Only 359 in the US according to census data, 500ish in France. Everything I've read says it is a Cajun surname but is not on the list posted on page 1.
Maybe if your name was spelled like "Boogabert" people would think it was a Cajun name.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 11:18 am to FlagLake
I'm certainly not trying to try and act like I know more about your home area. I did spend just as much time in Avoyelles as Grant or Rapides. To say that I "have no idea of the cultural differences" after being in the area for 25+ years is unfair and disingenuous. I only brought up Rapides and Grant because those are 3 of the areas I spent most of my time, not because they are exactly the same. However, there is a good bit of Cajun spillover into Eastern Rapides, where I lived, not far from Marksville so there is 'something' Cajun about it. It has,admittedly, been a little while ago and I think I mixed up the Beauchamp name with the Beaubouef. If you are a Bordelon, there is a good chance I worked or was friends with some of your people. I also knew some Vermillions and Gremillions. I have in-laws in Natchitoches Parish so I know a lot of Creole folk too (Metoyers & Lecomptes mostly). As I said, I'm not trying to act like I know more than you about your home and it is possible I mixed up some of the geographic locations / names. But I am not clueless about the topic or the culture because I enjoyed and immersed myself in it as much as an ol' hillbilly could. 
Posted on 2/6/22 at 11:33 am to Atttaboy
quote:
Lots of German or “Frenchified” German surnames in the river parishes: Dufrene/Dufresne, Matherne, etc.
Zeringue is another.
This post was edited on 2/6/22 at 11:33 am
Posted on 2/6/22 at 11:50 am to PineyWoodsHog
quote:
I think I mixed up the Beauchamp name with the Beaubouef.
That would make more sense. I know several Beaubouefs.
quote:
I also knew some Vermillions and Gremillions.
Plenty of Gremillions here too.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 12:05 pm to La Place Mike
My dad was beaten every single day at school in first grade, both years of it. His mother was from France (well born the year her parents immigrated, an older sister born in France) and no English was spoken at home even though his dad knew English. Even if school was out and you are across the street. if you spoke French you got a beating at school.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 12:05 pm to fallguy_1978
That's real truth right there. I guess I was referring to the white people here
Posted on 2/6/22 at 12:09 pm to Epaminondas
Visitors would get kicked out of homes for using the word Cajun or Coonass as late at the mid 60's. Acadian was acceptable among my mother's relatives, Mouton
Page 7 of 10
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News