Begin

The surname Begin originates from France, dating back to the medieval period around the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "begin," meaning "beginner" or "novice." This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone who was new to a particular trade, craft, or community.

The earliest recorded instances of the Begin surname can be found in various historical documents from the regions of Normandy and Brittany in northern France. It is possible that the name appeared in the famous Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and tenants compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Begin surname was Jehan Begin, a notable merchant and landowner from the town of Rouen in Normandy, who lived during the late 13th century. Another notable figure was Guillaume Begin, a skilled blacksmith from the village of Plougastel in Brittany, who was mentioned in local records from the early 14th century.

In the 15th century, the Begin surname gained prominence with the rise of Jean Begin, a respected lawyer and judge who served in the Parlement of Paris from 1452 to 1478. His son, Jacques Begin, became a renowned scholar and theologian, authoring several influential works on ecclesiastical law during the late 15th century.

As the surname spread across France, it also found its way into various place names, such as Begincourt in the Somme region and Begincourt-les-Royes in Picardy. These place names likely derived from the Begin surname, reflecting the presence of families bearing this name in those areas.

Other notable individuals with the Begin surname throughout history include:

1. Louis Begin (1582-1647), a French explorer and settler in New France (present-day Canada).

2. Émile Begin (1845-1923), a Canadian journalist and politician who served as a member of the House of Commons.

3. Cardinal Louis-Nazaire Begin (1840-1925), a prominent Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Quebec from 1898 to 1925.

4. Mgr. Paul-Eugène Begin (1858-1936), a French-Canadian priest and educator who founded the Collège de Lévis in Quebec.

5. Monique Begin (born 1936), a Canadian academic and politician who served as the Minister of National Health and Welfare from 1977 to 1979.

The Begin surname has a rich history rooted in the medieval French tradition of descriptive nicknames, and it has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including merchants, artisans, lawyers, clergymen, and political figures over the centuries.