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Family Ancestry Spotlight: The Robicheaux Lineage, Rooted in Acadian Resilience
- Cynthia Seitz
- Jun 8
- 2 min read
Each month, we shine a light on a family whose story threads through the rich tapestry of Louisiana’s history. For this edition, we turn our focus to the Robicheaux family—a name synonymous with Acadian endurance, faith, and cultural preservation.
From the windswept shores of 17th-century Nova Scotia to the bayous of modern-day Louisiana, the Robicheaux lineage offers a remarkable look at how heritage, hardship, and hope were passed down through generations.
🌍 Origins: From France to Acadia
The Robicheaux (originally Robichaud or Robichaux) family traces its roots back to early French settlers in Acadia, a region that now spans parts of Canada’s Maritime provinces. The surname is believed to have originated from settlers in Poitou or Brittany, France, who migrated to New France in the early 1600s seeking opportunity, land, and religious freedom.
The earliest known ancestor, Étienne Robichaud, was among those who established farming settlements along the Bay of Fundy. His descendants became deeply rooted in Acadian society, thriving as farmers, fishermen, and community leaders.
⚔️ The Grand Dérangement: A Story of Exile and Survival
In 1755, everything changed.
British colonial authorities, fearing Acadian loyalty to France during ongoing conflicts, initiated the Grand Dérangement—the forced deportation of more than 11,000 Acadians. Families were torn apart, homes were burned, and many were scattered across the American colonies, the Caribbean, and France.
The Robicheaux family, like many others, endured unimaginable hardship. Some were deported to Maryland and Georgia. Others fled into the forests or sought refuge with Native allies. Despite the chaos, the family line persevered, with records showing Robicheaux descendants eventually arriving in Louisiana by the mid-to-late 1760s.
⚜️ A New Beginning in Louisiana
Louisiana, then a Spanish territory, offered sanctuary to Acadian exiles. The Robicheaux family settled primarily in the Attakapas and Opelousas regions, where they rebuilt their lives along the fertile lands of the Bayou Teche.
Here, they reclaimed their heritage—re-establishing their Catholic faith, reviving their French dialect, and forming close-knit farming communities. Over time, they became central figures in Cajun culture, contributing to music, cuisine, politics, and local development.
Notably:
The Robicheaux name appears frequently in early church and land records across St. Martin, Lafourche, and Assumption parishes.
Several family members served as militiamen, community leaders, and agricultural pioneers.
Oral histories describe the Robicheauxs as staunch defenders of Acadian identity, often hosting traditional gatherings and preserving the French language at home.
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