List of French Americans

Last updated

Franco-American Flag Drapeau Franco-Americain.svg
Franco-American Flag

French Americans are U.S. citizens or nationals of French descent and heritage. The majority of Franco-American families did not arrive directly from France, but rather settled French territories in the New World (primarily in the 17th and 18th centuries) before moving or being forced to move to the United States later on (see Quebec diaspora and Great Upheaval). Also, the largest French territory in North America was sold to the U.S., absorbing their French citizens (see Louisiana Purchase). About thirteen million U.S. residents are of French descent, and about 1.5 million of them speak the French language at home. Being isolated, mixed with different cultures, or ignored, the French-Americans developed particular cultures that reflect varying degrees of adaptation of their environments. This gave birth to streams of French-Americans like the Acadians, the Cajuns (an Anglicization of the autonym Cadien, from the French word for Acadian, Acadien), Louisiana Créoles and many others.

Contents

The following is a list of notable French Americans by occupation, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants.

To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are French American or must have references showing they are French American and are notable.

Business

General

Eleuthere Irenee du Pont de Nemours (1771-1834) Eleuthere Irenee du Pont.png
Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours (1771–1834)
William C. Durant (1861-1947) co-founder of General Motors and Chevrolet WilliamCDurant.jpg
William C. Durant (1861–1947) co-founder of General Motors and Chevrolet

Entertainment

Actors

Leslie Caron on the set of Gigi (1958) Leslie Caron - Maruice Chevalier - 1957.jpg
Leslie Caron on the set of Gigi (1958)
The French-American actress Julie Delpy Julie Delpy 1991 -a.jpg
The French-American actress Julie Delpy

Artists

Musicians

Other entertainers

Explorers

Law and politics

Governors and presidents

Congressmen and senators

The folk hero Davy Crockett David Crockett portrait by Chester Harding.jpg
The folk hero Davy Crockett

Mayors

Other politicians

Authors and writers

Education

Edward Sorin (1814-1893), founder of the University of Notre Dame, Indiana Edward Frederick Sorin.gif
Edward Sorin (1814–1893), founder of the University of Notre Dame, Indiana

Journalism

Military

Marquis de Lafayette, known as "The Hero of the Two Worlds" for his accomplishments in the service of the United States in the American War of Independence. Gilbert du Motier Marquis de Lafayette.PNG
Marquis de Lafayette, known as “The Hero of the Two Worlds” for his accomplishments in the service of the United States in the American War of Independence.

Religion

Science

Sports

Baseball

Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau Lou Boudreau Front 1951 Bowman.jpg
Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau

Basketball

Football

Brett Favre BFAVREVIKE.jpg
Brett Favre

Hockey

Zach Parise Zach Parise-NJ-crop.jpg
Zach Parise

NASCAR

Rodeo

Soccer

Tennis

Melanie Oudin Oudin US16 (2) (29235637624).jpg
Melanie Oudin

Other sports

Other

Art

Cuisine

Miscellanea

See also

Notes

  1. His great-grandfather was born in France; most of his other ancestry was English and American.
  2. His French ancestors immigrated to England in the 16th century.
  3. Born in Paris to George L'Enfant and Frances Ragond, and immigrated to the U.S.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cajuns</span> Ethnic group of Louisiana

The Cajuns, also known as Louisiana Acadians, are a Louisiana French ethnicity mainly found in the U.S. state of Louisiana and surrounding Gulf Coast states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evangeline Parish, Louisiana</span> Parish in Louisiana, United States

Evangeline Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,350. The parish seat is Ville Platte.

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