Du Plessis families still in Poitiers, France

Question

Hope you can help

My grandfather is a Daniel Jakobus Du Plessis.

I believe his ancestor is Jean-Prierre du Plessis.

I'm going to Europe on 18 April 2019 and I'm planning a trip to Poitiers.

However, I'm not sure if I should go to Poitiers or Poitou-Charentes, France?

I basically want to go and either visit current Du Plessis families in this region or visit a site where this ancestor of mine might have been.

I would appreciate any suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi,

If your ancestor is Jean PRIEUR DU PLESSIS, his family name seems to be PRIEUR

https://www.geni.com/people/Jean-Prieur-du-Plessis-SV-PROG/6000000003056897251

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Du%20Plessis%20MA%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=11635566

Comments

Thank you for this

I will dig a bit deeper

Answer 2

Plessis usually indicates a castle or lord's manor in French.  It's a very old term and many castles are called Plessis (i.e.  le Plessis Macé, le Plessis Bourré, in Maine-et-Loire).  So the term du Plessis was sometimes added to the name to indicate that this was not just anybody but a notable.  That being said I believe the name was also probably used for people who lived in or near the noble property.  In fact just plain Plessis is quite a common name in the Loire valley.  Poitiers is the capital of the Vienne department (formerly Poitou).  Poitou-Charentes is a former region which is now part of the new region Nouvelle Aquitaine.  Definitely go to Poitiers and environs.

Comments

Thank you for this info and direction

Much appreciated