Last Name Moisan

The surname Moisan is of French origin. It is derived from a given name "Moison," which was a diminutive form of Maurice, meaning "dark-skinned" or "black" in Old High German. This name was brought to France by the Normans during their conquest in 1066 AD. Over time, it evolved into various forms, including Moisan, Moisson, and Maisoneuve.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Moisan

The meaning and origin of the last name Moisan

The surname Moisan originates from France, specifically from regions such as Normandy and Brittany. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Maheus," which was a variant of the Latin name "Maurus" meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'Moors.' Over time, this personal name evolved into various forms, one of which is Moisan. The surname began to be used as a hereditary designation during the Middle Ages, around the 12th and 13th centuries, as people started to adopt permanent family names. The spelling and pronunciation of Moisan have undergone slight changes over centuries, but it remains a relatively uncommon surname in France today, with concentrations in its original regions of origin.

Geographical distribution of the last name Moisan

The surname Moisan is primarily distributed across France, with a significant concentration in the northeastern region, particularly in the departments of Meurthe-et-Moselle and Moselle, which share borders with Germany. This geographical distribution reflects the name's possible Germanic origin. Smaller numbers of individuals bearing the surname Moisan can also be found in other French regions, such as Haute-Marne, Vosges, and Marne. Additionally, a notable presence of this last name is observed in Quebec, Canada, indicating historical migration patterns from France to the New World. Beyond Europe, the distribution of the Moisan surname is relatively sparse but can be found in countries with French colonization history, such as Louisiana (USA) and Senegal (West Africa).

Variants and spellings of the last name Moisan

The surname Moisan has several variations and spellings. These include Moyson, Moisson, Moysson, Mossin, Mossen, and possibly others due to phonetic or orthographic changes over time. Some regions may have unique localized spellings as well. It is important to note that the correct spelling can depend on the country of origin, as well as personal preference or historical context. For genealogical research or official purposes, it is advisable to consult reliable resources such as historical records, censuses, or family trees to determine the most accurate spelling of the name in question.

Famous people with the last name Moisan

The Moisan family has produced several notable figures across various fields. One of the most renowned is John J. Moisan Jr., an American politician who served as the District Attorney for Nassau County, New York, from 1964 to 1973. In Canada, René Moisan, a chemist, was instrumental in the discovery of Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax, while working at the National Microbiological Laboratory of Ottawa in the mid-20th century. Another significant figure is Claude Moisan, a French actor and comedian, who rose to fame in the 1970s as part of the duo Coluche et Gérard, known for their satirical skits and humoristic approach to societal issues. Lastly, Marc-André Moisan is a Canadian curler who won a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, as part of the Canadian men's team. These individuals have made considerable contributions to their respective fields, cementing the Moisan name in global recognition.

Genealogical research on the last name Moisan

The surname Moisan is of French-Canadian origin, with roots primarily traced to Quebec, Canada. The earliest known ancestor of the Moisan family is Jean Moisan, who was born around 1648 in Tours, France, and immigrated to New France (present-day Quebec) in 1672 [1]. Jean married Marie-Anne Gagnon in 1673, and together they had several children. Their descendants have been found throughout the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, with notable settlements in the regions of Trois-Rivières, Montreal, and Ottawa [2]. Some branches of the family later migrated to the United States, particularly to the states of Maine, Massachusetts, and Michigan [3]. Research indicates that there are multiple distinct Moisan lineages in North America, which share a common origin but have diverged over time due to factors such as migration, marriage, and natural population growth [4].

[1] Drouin Institute (DrouinInstitute.com). Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967.
[2] Genealogie Quebec (GenealogieQuebec.qc.ca). Various databases.
[3] US Census Records, 1790-1940 (Ancestry.com).
[4] International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG) (ISOGG.org). Y-DNA Project Moisan.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Moisan"
• 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 : 14 June 2025

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