From: <JAFount@aol.com> >hello...the spelling of my last name is foUntaine >My family is originally from Virginia, but my grandfather and great uncle >relocated to California in the late 60's. >Anyone have any info on this name spelling? >Thanks >John Fountaine As you probably well know, Fontaine is French for fountain. So variations such as Fontaine, Fountain, Fountaine, Fontene, LaFontaine, LaFountain, and LaFountaine are not uncommon. It was a matter of preference and if they could write (and who wrote their name for them). So it is always best to look for minor differences in spelling that nearly sounds the same. I have researched lines that even changed their name to Spring or Springer. The name is a location surname meaning someone who lived near a fountain or a spring. Of course, there are many fountains in Europe, so groups of people with the common name may not be even closely related. This kills the "buy your family coat of arms" document sales pitch. There is no proof unless you are lucky enough to find your way back to a knight around the turn of the last millenium. Not an easy feat considering many records were lost after two world wars and numerous invasions. Of course, the coat of arms is nice to look at and is somewhat personalized. So buy it if you wish.