Fontaine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Fontaine

What does the name Fontaine mean?

The French region of Savoie is the ancestral homeland of the prestigious surname Fontaine. The name Fontaine is derived from the Old French word “fontaine,” which means “fountain,” and as a name it no doubt originally served as a mark of recognition for someone who lived near such a landmark. As such, Fontaine is classed as a topographic surname.

Early Origins of the Fontaine family

The surname Fontaine was first found in Savoy (French: Savoie) in the Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps, where this renowned family has held a family seat since ancient times.

Fontaine Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lafontaine, Lafontain, Lafantaine, Fontaine, Fantaine, Fontain, Fontein, Fantein, Fantaine, Fonteyn, Lafonteyn, Lafon and many more.

Early Notables of the Fontaine family

• Pierre Fontaine (c. 1390-1450), a French composer and singer, who served in the chapel of Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy
• François Lafontaine , Lord of Mézeyrac during the 1600’s
• Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695), a French poet and man of letters, considered one of the great French classical authors
• Jean Desfontaines (c. 1658-1752), a French Baroque composer
• The Abbé Pierre François Guyot-Desfontaines (1685-1745), a French journalist, translator and popular historian