The province of Quebec is well known for being the last vestige of French America and the only truly successful colony of the France. While Acadia was rendered insignificant, and Louisiana's Cajuns, though resilient, were fully assimilated, Quebec has so far stood triumphant in ensuring the survival of its people.
Today, Quebec receives a staggering 13 million tourists annually, which is more than its entire population. Quebec City is the oldest European settlement in Canada, and the second oldest in all of North America. Quebec’s largest city, Montreal, is the third oldest. While much time and effort have gone into studying the ethnic origins of Anglo-Americans (and Albion’s Seed by David Hackett Fischer is one of the most incredible books of our time, tracking the actual places from the British Isles where specific settler groups came from), the origins of the Quebecois are obscured in mystery. Today they make up almost a quarter of the entire ethnic Canadian population. As the Quebecois will proudly say, there is no Canada without Quebec.
This group’s fight for survival against the frontier, the Indigenous tribes, and sometimes their Anglo-Saxon neighbours, has progressed for four and a half centuries. Who are these people? Where do they come from?
Ancient Blood
An unexplored aspect of Quebecois heritage are its roots in Northwestern France, particularly in Normandy—a region famously settled by Vikings who cynically and opportunistically converted to Christianity while slowly adopting French culture. The first Duke of Normandy, Rollo (born Hrólfr, an Ásatrúar pagan Norseman), enforced the king’s law and provided military service against other Vikings in exchange for land, with infamous ruthlessness. The Duchy of Normandy was granted to him by King Charles the Simple in 911 AD through the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte.
Despite converting to Christianity, the Normans continued to exert a significant influence across Europe. Four generations after the duchy’s founding by Rollo, they were deeply involved in the politics and wars of other Germanic nations, including England, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, often calling upon Viking mercenaries, many of them still pagan, to solidify their power against enemies in mainland France. The Normans would conquer the Kingdom of England, found the Kingdom of Sicily, serve as mercenaries for the Byzantine Varangian Guard, and carve out the Principality of Antioch in the holy land of Jerusalem after the First Crusade.
What’s fascinating is that taking a deep dive into the top 30 most common last names in Quebec, approximately 17 have origins specifically tied to Normandy. This is 56.67%, or more than half. Here are the surnames of Norman origins:
1. Gagnon
2. Bouchard
3. Gauthier
4. Morin
5. Fortin
6. Gagné
7. Ouellet
8. Lévesque
9. Leblanc
10. Girard
11. Boucher
12. Cloutier
13. Richard
14. Beaulieu
15. Dufresne
16. Martel
17. Léger
Another interesting detail is that a not-insignificant number of Huguenots (Protestants) settled in Quebec following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, which led to persecution of Protestants at home and abroad. While most Huguenots settled in other places, some settled in New France and assimilated into the Catholic population. The vast majority of these Huguenots, came from The Pays de Caux, or Upper Normandy. This area forms a triangle between the port cities of Rouen, Dieppe, and Le Havre. The Pays de Caux was notable for having one of the largest concentrations of rural Protestants in Northern France.
Positioned along the English channel, this area was a Viking stronghold. It’s also associated with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William the Conqueror, great-great-grandson of Rollo.
To back up this ancestry further, research has shown that Northern Europeans tend to be taller and have higher grip strength compared to their Southern European counterparts, primarily due to genetic factors. However, environmental influences, such as nutrition, public health, and physical activity, also play a significant role. A study on the height of ethnic groups in Montreal, titled "The Heights of French-Canadian, Irish, Scottish, and English Populations in Quebec, 1813 to 1847," found that French-Canadians were shorter than Anglo-Canadians, but much taller than their French ancestors. The height of Quebecois men still surpasses that of Frenchmen today. What’s more, since 1977, there has not been a single winner of non-European ancestry in the World’s Strongest Man, the premier international strongman competition. North American winners are overwhelmingly from Anglo-Germanic ancestry. A lesser-known but still relevant competition, Europe’s Strongest Man, shows overwhelming dominance by Northern Europeans, particularly those of Anglo-Germanic and Balto-Slavic descent. Not a single Southern European or Latin country (including France!) has produced a winner in these competitions.
Out of the five Canadian athletes to participate in World’s Strongest Man and win, three are Quebecois, and two are Anglo-Canadian. These are Dominic Filiou, Jean-François Caron, and Maxime Boudreault. If you want to go back further, the great Louis Cyr, born in 1863, stood a towering 1.74 m (5 ft 8½ in) for the time. His recorded feats, including lifting 500 pounds (227 kg) with one finger and backlifting 4,337 pounds (1,967 kg), show Cyr to potentially be, according to International Federation of BodyBuilding, the strongest man in recorded history.
How is it that France, with an estimated population of 54 to 58 million ethnic French (2022), has not produced a single winner, while Quebec, with an estimated 7 to 7.4 million ethnic Quebecois, has three? When combined with data on height and average grip strength, this suggests a reasonable theory that the Quebecois have a not insignificant amount of ancestry from Normandy. This further suggests that the Quebecois are the tallest and strongest culturally Latin people in the world.
Prominent Norman Figures
What’s more, is that some of the most influential and notable figures in early Canadian history were Norman, or were of known Norman ancestry.
They are as follows:
- Pierre de Chauvin de Tonnetuit
- Charles le Moyne de Longueuil et de Châteauguay
- René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
- Pierre Boucher
- Jean Brebeuf
- Guillaume Couture
- Jacques Le Ber
Let us explore these figures and their accomplishments, starting from the beginning.
Captain Chauvin of Tadoussac
Pierre de Chauvin de Tonnetuit (c. 1550–1603) was a French naval and military officer, notable for his role in early French colonization efforts in North America. Born into a prosperous merchant family in Dieppe, Normandy. Chauvin initially pursued a career in the French navy. His early military career saw him serve under Admiral Aymar de Chaste in the Azores in 1583 and later, in 1589, he became captain of a significant Huguenot garrison at Honfleur, also located in Normandy.
In 1599, Chauvin, alongside François Gravé Du Pont, obtained a fur trade monopoly for New France from King Henri IV. In 1600, he led an expedition to Tadoussac, a key fur trading hub at the fork of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers, establishing a settlement. Though Tadoussac's rugged terrain and harsh winters made it unsuitable for permanent settlement, and only five of his 16 men survived the winter, Chauvin returned to France with a profitable cargo of furs. He continued trading until his death in 1603, leaving behind a legacy as one of the early figures in French colonization of North America.
Charles, Lord of Longueuil
Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil et de Châteauguay (1626–1685) was a key figure in the early development of New France, particularly in Montreal, Quebec.
Born in Dieppe, Normandy to a wealthy family he arrived in Quebec as a teenager and quickly established himself as an important interpreter and diplomat, learning several Indigenous languages while living among the Hurons. His linguistic skills and diplomacy made him valuable in negotiations particularly during the long-standing conflicts with the Iroquois. Le Moyne later became a successful merchant and fur trader, leveraging his relationships with Indigenous communities to grow his wealth. His military career was notable as he led several expeditions against the Iroquois and defended the colony during its early, vulnerable years. In recognition of his service, he was granted extensive land, including the seigneuries of Longueuil and Châteauguay around present-day Montreal, establishing a strong family presence in the region.
The Lord of Longueuil died in Montreal in 1685, but his bloodline would be felt permanently in North America. One of his sons, Pierre Le Moyne was the key figure in establishing Louisiana, personally leading an expedition near present-day Biloxi, Mississippi. His brother Jean-Baptiste later founded New Orleans in 1718.
Robert, Knight of the Manor
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (1643–1687), born in Rouen, Normandy was an explorer whose ambition significantly expanded French territorial claims in North America. Initially trained as a Jesuit but abandoning religious life in 1666 to seek adventure and fortune. He sailed to Quebec in 1667, where he was granted land on the island of Montreal, where a borough exists today (now LaSalle, Quebec). His early ventures into the wilderness sparked his passion for exploration, and he became hell-bent on venturing further into the vast and unknown lands.
La Salle's first major exploration took him through the Great Lakes region and along the Ohio River. In 1679, he built the first sailing ship on Lake Erie, the Griffon, to aid in his explorations. However, the ship was lost on its maiden voyage. He pressed forward with his goal of finding the mouth of the Mississippi River, which he believed would serve as the key to controlling the interior of North America, and succeeded in 1682, becoming the first European to travel its length from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. He claimed the entire river basin for France, and named the region "Louisiana" in honor of King Louis XIV.
La Salle aimed to establish a colony. In 1684, he left France with four ships and 300 colonists, but navigational errors led him to land in present-day Texas instead. The expedition fell apart due to shipwrecks, conflicts with Indigenous people, disease, and harsh conditions. Despite multiple attempts to find the Mississippi by land, La Salle was unsuccessful. Frustration mounted, and in 1687, he was murdered by his own men. Despite his tragic end, La Salle’s explorations opened the interior of North America to French colonization, securing France’s claim to the Mississippi River Valley and the vast Louisiana Territory. His vision of a French Empire, fueled by a Norman spirit inspired future exploration and settlement in North America.
Pierre, the First Ennobled
Pierre Boucher (1622–1717) born in Mortagne, Normandy was a prominent leader in New France, known for his tenure as governor of Trois-Rivières and his significant contributions to the colony’s defense and development. Arriving in Quebec in 1635 he began his career as an interpreter and soldier, gaining experience with Indigenous tribes. He quickly advanced through the ranks, serving as corporal and eventually commissioned officer. In 1648, he was appointed commissary-general of the trading post, and by 1651, he was elected captain of the militia.
Boucher gained distinction in 1653 by defending the colony from an Iroquois attack and negotiating a peace treaty on favorable terms. Following his success, Boucher was appointed governor of all Trois-Rivières in 1653, where he effectively safeguarded the settlement from further Iroquois assaults and worked to fortify the colony.
In 1661, he traveled to France to request settlers, military support, and supplies. His mission was successful, and he secured the backing of King Louis XIV, returning with reinforcements and resources to strengthen the colony. Boucher became the first Canadian settler to be ennobled by King Louis XIV, a significant honor. He was granted the seigneury of Boucherville, named after him, where he eventually retired. His efforts were instrumental in ensuring the stability and growth of New France, and his legacy continues as a key figure in Canadian history, with his descendants remaining influential in the region.
St. Jean, the Martyr
Jean de Brébeuf (1593–1649) born in Condé-sur-Vire, Normandy, was a French Jesuit priest and missionary known for his work among the Indigenous peoples of New France. Brébeuf joined the Jesuit order in 1617 and was ordained a priest. He volunteered for missionary work in Canada, arriving in Quebec in 1625. Brébeuf was assigned to work among the Huron, learning their language and culture, which earned him their respect. His dedication to understanding their way of life made him an effective missionary. He lived among the Huron for several years, translating religious texts into their language and building a strong rapport.
In 1649, during a period of intense conflict between the Huron and the Iroquois, Brébeuf and fellow Jesuit Gabriel Lalemant were captured during an Iroquois raid on the Huron mission of Saint-Louis. They were subjected to horrific torture, including beatings, burning with hot irons, and having boiling water poured over them in mockery of baptism. Brébeuf was also scalped, and his tongue was cut out to silence his prayers. Despite the extreme brutality, Brébeuf remained resolute and continued to show signs of faith, reportedly encouraging other captives until he succumbed to his injuries. Brébeuf was canonized as a saint in 1930 by Pope Pius XI, along with seven other Jesuit missionaries known as the Canadian Martyrs or North American Martyrs. His legacy continues through the many schools, churches, and organizations named in his honor, and he remains an iconic figure in Canadian Catholic history.
Peacemaker Guillaume
Guillaume Couture (1618–1701) was born in Rouen, Normandy, and became one of the most important settlers and leaders in New France. Originally trained as a carpenter, he arrived in the colony in 1640, working as a lay missionary with the Jesuits. His deep involvement in the mission work and the colony's efforts to convert Indigenous populations to Christianity marked the beginning of his close interactions with various tribes, particularly the Iroquois.
In 1642, while on an expedition to the Iroquois territory with the Jesuit priest Isaac Jogues, Couture was captured and subjected to severe torture. Despite this brutal treatment, he managed to survive, earning the respect of his captors for not uttering a word during the experience. He was eventually adopted into the Iroquois community, an extraordinary achievement that made him an influential figure in negotiating between the French settlers and the Indigenous nations. His diplomatic skills became an asset to the colonial government, which relied on him to mediate with the Iroquois.
Couture’s return to French society saw him become one of the first permanent settlers of Pointe-Lévy (now Lévis, Quebec), where he established a prosperous farm and became a community leader. In addition to his farming work, he held several important roles in the colony, including captain of the militia and judge. He participated in expeditions and peace negotiations that shaped the early development of the region, especially in maintaining relations with the Iroquois and the Dutch in nearby New Amsterdam. He died in 1701, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer of Lévis and a vital contributor to the peaceful coexistence between French settlers and Indigenous peoples.
Jacques, the Noble Birch
Jacques Le Ber (1633–1706) was a prominent French-Canadian merchant and seigneur in New France. Born in the Diocese of Rouen, Normandy. Le Ber arrived in Montreal in 1657, where he quickly became a key figure in the colony’s economy. Marrying the sister of Charles Le Moyne himself, he amassed considerable wealth through the fur trade, fishing, and international commerce, particularly with the West Indies. Le Ber's business success allowed him to purchase extensive lands and build a fortified mill in the Ottawa Valley to protect against Iroquois raids. In 1696, he was ennobled by King Louis XIV, a reflection of his influence within the colony. Beyond business, he was involved in the defense of New France, joining military campaigns and contributing to the region's security.
Le Ber’s family also played significant roles in Montreal’s religious and social life. His daughter, Jeanne Le Ber, became a noted recluse and religious figure, while his son-in-law, Charles Le Moyne, was a respected leader in the colony. Jacques Le Ber's legacy lives on as a key figure in the development of Montreal during the 17th century.
Norman Impact on the Land
In 1612, the Compagnie de Rouen, received the royal mandate to manage the operations of New France and the fur trade. It would later be replaced, and shortly after, the seigneurial system was introduced following a directive from Cardinal Richelieu, a key figure under King Louis XIII.
Richelieu, in 1627, created the Company of One Hundred Associates to organize and populate the colonies with the seigneurial system reflecting the feudal structure in France, promoting land distribution and governance that profoundly shaped Quebec’s development. Despite its feudal roots, the life of the average habitant or settler on these plots was industrious, and better than peasants in Europe.
The unique challenges of the New World, coupled with the modest wealth of the seigneurs (landlords, often noblemen), meant that they frequently worked closely with the habitants who farmed the land. This cooperation built a spirit of merit and independence similar to that of the Anglo-Saxon Yeoman or freeholder in New England, just to the south. While French settlers did not officially own their land, they effectively controlled and managed it in practice, to the surprise of the much-hated British Lord Durham.
“The habitants have developed a spirit of independence due to the isolation of their settlements. They have long been accustomed to managing their own affairs without much interference from either government or clergy.”
…And the Normans, where are they now?
The Normans live on as a powerful and spirited force, a presence in the collective unconscious of all French Canadians. They are the descendants of Rollo and William—brave settlers, adventurous seigneurs, and their loyal habitants. Pioneers, explorers, soldiers, salty fishermen, and coureurs des bois. If not for the vitality of the people of Normandy, charging headfirst into Sicily against Lombards and Greeks, serving in the Varangian Guard, or breaking the ranks of Muslim forces in Jerusalem, we would not have one-quarter of all ethnic Canadians today, nor their steadfast defense of culture, and identity.
"Frustration mounted, and in 1687, he was murdered by his own men."
LaSalle's supporters were exiled from the nascent colony. The colony disappeared but LaSalle's men went North on foot. They followed the Mississippi back to French colonies in Canada and returned to France.
Think of the scale of that journey...on foot, few supplies and weapons, forced to march through lands controlled by savages, to get all the way back to the tiny colonies in the wilderness of Canada, only to embark on ships for to sail across a dangerous sea back to France. That must have been one helluva journey; it deserves a movie or an epic book to commemorate the survival of LaSalle's men.
Can’t help but superimpose your article with the draconian restrictions implemented in Quebec during the scamdemic. Could the reason have been to crush the Norman spirit, or whatever remains of it?