Last Name Lascassies

The surname Lascassies is believed to have French origins, specifically from the region of Normandy. In France, it is a habitational name derived from various places named Las Cassey or La Cassey. These names are composed of the elements "la" (meaning "the") and "cassey," which may refer to either a farm or an enclosure made of hurdles (from Old French "cassette"). The surname was likely brought to other countries, including Belgium and Canada, by French settlers.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lascassies

The meaning and origin of the last name Lascassies

The surname Lascassies is of French origin, derived from various regional place names in France. The name could have origins in several locations such as Lascasse, a commune in the Haute-Garonne department, or Lascas, a hamlet in the Tarn department. These places are thought to be named after the occitan word "l'escase" meaning 'the shelter', possibly referring to a natural or artificial shelter or a small fortified house. Over time, this place name evolved into the surname Lascassies, which can now be found among French and Belgian populations.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lascassies

The surname Lascassies has a notable presence in France, particularly in the region of Aquitaine, specifically in its department Gironde, where it is one of the most common names originating from the town of Saint-Cyr-sur-L'Isle. Beyond France, the name has also been identified in other French-speaking countries such as Canada and Belgium. In Quebec, Canada, Lascassies ranks among the top 20,000 surnames, while in Belgium it is less common but still present. The origin of the name is likely a toponymic reference to a place named "Lascase" or "La Casse," which could be found in several regions of France, indicating that the name's bearers may have hailed from various locations over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lascassies

The surname Lascassies has multiple variations and spellings, which can often result from differences in regional pronunciation, transcription errors, or individual preference. Some of these variants include LasCassies, Lascassy, LasCassi, LasCassee, LasCassey, and LasCazzi. These variations suggest that the name may have originated from a French-speaking region where it could be pronounced as "Las Cassie" or "Las Casse," with the "s" being silent, giving rise to the spelling variations. It's essential to remember that these alterations do not necessarily indicate different individuals but rather different ways of writing the same family name.

Famous people with the last name Lascassies

The Lascassies family has produced notable figures across various fields. One of the most distinguished is Pierre Lascasse (1926-2021), a renowned Canadian geologist and minerals expert. He made significant contributions to the understanding of Precambrian rocks in Quebec, Canada, and was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 2014. Another prominent figure is Jean Lascasse (born 1956), a French-Canadian journalist and politician who served as Minister of International Cooperation under Prime Minister Paul Martin from 2003 to 2006. Lastly, Jacques Lascelles (1913-1998) was a Canadian actor known for his work in films like "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre" and "Gunga Din". These individuals illustrate the diverse achievements of those bearing the Lascassies surname.

Genealogical research on the last name Lascassies

The Lascassies surname is primarily of French origin, derived from the region of Gascony, located in southwestern France. The name is believed to have originated as a local topographical name for someone who lived near an oak grove or wooded area, with "lascas" meaning 'oak' and "-et" indicating 'of'.

The Lascassies family migrated to various regions during the French Huguenot exodus in the 16th and 17th centuries due to religious persecution. Many settled in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and England before emigrating to North America. In America, significant Lascassies populations can be found in Louisiana, where they arrived by the mid-18th century, and in Canada.

Prominent figures with the name include Jean Lascassy, a 16th-century French musician and composer, and Joseph Lascasse, who served as a military officer during the French Revolution. In modern times, the family has spread globally, with notable descendants contributing to various fields such as science, arts, and politics.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "lascassies"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 30 July 2025

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