The name Degravves has a long French heritage that first began in southern region of Languedoc
. The name is derived from when the family lived in Languedoc
but the name could have also been derived from the Old French word "grave," which meant "gravel."
Early Origins of the Degravves family
The surname Degravves was first found in Languedoc
, where the family has held a family seat
since very early times.
Early History of the Degravves family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Degravves research.Another 260 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1096, 1150, 1248, 1669, 1788, 1651 and 1708 are included under the topic Early Degravves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Degravves Spelling Variations
History has changed the spelling of most surnames. During the early development of the French language in the Middle Ages, a person gave his version of his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. Some variables were adopted by different branches of the family name. Hence, there spelling variations
of the name Degravves, some of which include Grave, Grève, de Grèves, Grauve, Greive, Le Grave, de Grave, Graves and many more.
Early Notables of the Degravves family (pre 1700)
Notable amongst the family name at this time was Hugues, a Lord of Villegly and of Félines; and Jacques Gravier (1651-1708), a French Jesuit missionary in the New World from Moulins, Allier... Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Degravves Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Degravves family to the New World and Oceana
Immigration to New France was slow; therefore, early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England
and were deported to Louisiana. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The distinguished family name Degravves has made significant contributions to the culture, arts, sciences and religion of France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Degravves were George Grave settled with his wife Elnor and son, John, aged 10; in Virginia in 1620; Hermon Up De Grave settled in Germantown, Pa. in 1693; Joan Grave, aged 30.