Surname Arsenault - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring the Arsenault Lineage: An iGENEA DNA Test Review
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K. Arsenault
read moreArsenault: What does the surname Arsenault mean?
The surname Arsenault is derived from the Latin ‘arsenale’, meaning a weapons depot or armory. This name was most likely associated with a person who made, managed, or sold arms and armor in the Middle Ages.
The Arsenault surname is believed to have originated in Normandy, France, and was first found in the early to mid-14th century. As many as 26 Arsenault families were recorded at minster Notre-Dame-de-la-Victorie in La Rochelle, France in 1688.
In 1654, the Arsenaults and their descendants traveled to Canada and began settling in the Maritime Provinces - primarily in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Later, many more migrated to Quebec and Ontario.
The Arsenault surname can be found in various forms in both Europe and North America including Arsenaulx, Ansel, Anceau, and Ancet. These variations are most often used to indicate the location where the original bearer of the name resided.
Today, various Arsenault families can be found in countries throughout the world, the descendants of the original Norman family who came to Canada in 1654.
Order DNA origin analysisArsenault: Where does the name Arsenault come from?
The last name Arsenault is most commonly found in Canada and the United States. This name is most strongly associated with French Canadian heritage, having originated in Brittany, France and eventually spreading to northern areas of the New World. In Canada, it is most frequently found in New Brunswick and Quebec, where early French colonists first settled. In the United States, the last name is strongly concentrated in the states of Rhode Island, Maine, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.
Today, the last name is a popular choice in Canada and the US for families who hail from French Canadian and Cajun descent. Arsenault is also the 18th most common surname among Canada's First Nations peoples, mostly stemming from the Gaspé and Acadian regions.
There is evidence of the surname in other parts of the world as well. In Africa, there are some Arsenaults in Ivory Coast and Guinea, which is attributed to French slavery during the colonial era. In South America, there are families with the surname living in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, with many citing their heritage as French or Spanish. In India, the name can also be found in some areas of the country with a predominantly Catholic population.
Variations of the surname Arsenault
The surname Arsenault is derived from the French word "arsenal," meaning "workshop." The variants and spellings of Arsenault include Arsena], Arseneau, Arsenault, Arsenaulte, Arseno, Arsenau, Arseneault and Arsenaulteau. There may also be alternative spelling variants such as Arseneaulte and Arseneault.
In French-speaking Canada, the surname Arsenault is quite common. It is also found in the United States, especially in the New England states and in Louisiana where there are large populations of French Canadians.
In some instances, the surname has been adjusted to represent its original French spelling. As a result, some surname variations may include Arseneau, Arsenaulte, Arseno, Arseneau and Arseneault.
The Arsenault surname may also appear as surname variants, or derivative surnames, which are derived from the original surname. These variants include Arseneauville, Arsenaultville, Arsenaux, Arseneau, Arseilo and Arseleau. Other variants may include Arseneaulta, Arsen ornament, Arsenaut, Arseaum, Arselaeu and Arsenel.
Over the years, the Arsenault surname has also been adopted into different cultural contexts in different parts of the world. In India, for example, the Arsenault surname is spelled Arshanawal. In Hungary, a variant of the surname may be spelled Arsenew. In Russia, variants may include Arsenot, Arsenov and Arsenava.
Finally, it should also be noted that different linguistic contexts may also have different spellings for the surname. For example, in French, the surname may be spelled either Arsenault or Arsenaulte. In German, the surname is spelled Arsenalle or Arsenal. In Polish, a variant may be Arsenauck, and in Portuguese the variants may include Arsenoho, Arsenhaut or Arsenhola.
Famous people with the name Arsenault
- Mathieu Arsenault: Canadian Actor known for his roles in TV shows and movies such as Switching Goals, Maudite Poutine and Dim the Fluorescents.
- Quin Arsenault: Professional Hockey Player for the Utah Grizzlies in the ECHL.
- Gil Arsenault: Canadian Actor known for his roles in TV shows and movies such as Blood & Water, The Friends of George Fox and Death House.
- Johnathan Arsenault: Professional Football Player who played for the Montreal Allouettes in the Canadian Football League.
- Alan Arsenault: Canadian Baseball Player who played for the Quebec Capitals of the National Baseball Association.
- Derek Arsenault: Canadian Golfer who played in the Canadian Pro Ranking Championship.
- Martha Arsenault: Canadian Painter and Sculptor.
- Chris Arsenault: Canadian Politician who currently serves as the MLA for the District of Charlottetown-Parkdale in Prince Edward Island.
- Steven Arsenault: Canadian Musician known for his work as the lead singer of the Christian rock band SoulProspero.
- Scott Arsenault: Canadian Businessman, Activist and Entrepreneur known for founding the Canadian software company Xactly Corporation.