Surname Tanguay - Meaning and Origin
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Tanguay: What does the surname Tanguay mean?
Tanguay is a French Canadian surname. The name originates from the acronym "Tan", which stands for "Travailleur Autonome Non-inscrit," translating to "Independent Non-registered Worker" in English. Another explanation says it may also derive from Old French word 'tangue', referring to a cut-off point or a limit. The Normans introduced it into England in the forms of Tanqueray or Tanquerey after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Notably, Abel Tanguay is a famous historical figure with this surname. He was a French Canadian genealogist, well-known for publishing "Dictionnaire Généalogique des Familles Canadiennes" – a seven-volume collection detailing the genealogical histories of French Canadians from 1608 to 1800. Please note that the meanings of surnames can vary greatly and the interpretations provided here represent only some possibilities. It is also important to remember that surnames traditionally may be linked to occupations, geographical locations, or descriptive nicknames.
Order DNA origin analysisTanguay: Where does the name Tanguay come from?
The last name Tanguay is commonly found in Quebec, Canada, where it is among the top 100 surnames in the province. The Tanguay family are from the Centre-du-Québec region and are one of the oldest founding families of French-Canadian ancestry. The town of Saint-Tite-des-Caps in the Charlevoix region is also home to many Tanguay descendants, as well as the surrounding regions of Beauce and Nouvelle-Beauce.
The Tanguay family history traces back to 16TH century France, where the first Tanguay, Yvon Tanguay, led the Young Family on an expedition to New France. The historical records state that Yvon Tanguay was in the service of Captain Nicolas Riffault of the Compagnie française de l'Ouest. Through subsequent generations, the Tanguay family spread throughout Quebec, occupying prominent positions in their local communities.
The Tanguay family tree is often divided into two distinct branches: the Laval-les-Longes Tanguays, who settled near Montreal, and the Réseau des Tanguays, or network of Tanguays, who settled near the river estuaries along the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. There are now Tanguays that can be found living in many other parts of Canada, as well as the United States, although Quebec remains their main base.
In addition to being prolific throughout Quebec and other parts of Canada, the Tanguay surname is also found in other areas of the world, such as Louisiana. Additionally, many individuals of mixed ancestry may carry the name in Latin America, where the French language was adopted by the Spanish and Portuguese settlers.
Variations of the surname Tanguay
The surname Tanguay is found in Canada, most commonly spelled as Tanguay. However, alternative spellings for this surname exist, providing insights into its possible origins. In some cases, Tanguay is spelled as Thanguay, Tangué or Tanguet, suggesting a French origin. The French spelling of this name would have been original for those of French-Canadian descent who first arrived in Canada. In other cases, Tanguay can be found with the English spelling of Tongay, providing evidence of a possible English origin. Additional variations in spellings like Tankway, Tankwaye, Tingay, Tènguey, Tinqway and Tongwaye may provide further clues to the name’s origin.
In addition to the various spellings of the surname Tanguay, there are also closely related, distinct surnames. For example, Tanguay is sometimes used interchangeably with Tangue, Tanquay, Tanguée, Tanquée, Tanq, Tanco and Thanquée. Similarly, some variants such as Tangy, Tangie, Tanquie and Tango may derive from Tanguay, while other possible related names include Tanguay Mary, Tangy Turgeon, Tangue Lévesque, Tanguay Rivard and Tanguay Chevrette.
Overall, Tanguay is an interesting surname with many variations in spelling and related surnames. While further research is required to uncover its ultimate origins, these spellings and surnames can serve as useful reference points for those looking to investigate the history of the Tanguay family.
Famous people with the name Tanguay
- Céline Dion: Canadian singer and businesswoman
- Dani Tanguay: Canadian actor, television host, author and entrepreneur
- Robert Tanguay: Canadian politician and lawyer
- Geneviève Tanguay: Canadian businesswoman and competitive skater
- Bill Tanguay: Canadian actor
- Frédérick Tanguay: Canadian singer and actor
- Eric Tanguay: Canadian journalist and radio host
- Marie-Hélène Tanguay: Canadian actress, television and radio presenter
- Annie Tanguay: Canadian actress
- Jean-Michel Tanguay: Canadian actor and director