Payens

Payens is a surname of French origin. It is most notably associated with Hugues de Payns (also anglicized as Hugh de Payens), a 12th‑century French noble who co-founded the Knights Templar and served as the order’s first Grand Master. The name appears in medieval chronicles in connection with the early development of the Templar movement, a religious military order founded to protect Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land.

The Knights Templar were established in the early 12th century by Hugues de Payns and a small group of knights, with the aim of safeguarding travelers and stabilizing holy sites after the First Crusade. The order gained papal recognition within the following decade, and it expanded rapidly across Christendom, adopting distinctive vows and a reputation for military and financial activities. The organization persisted for nearly two centuries before being dissolved in 1312 by Pope Clement V under pressure from King Philip IV of France.

In modern times, Payens continues to be used as a surname in French-speaking regions and elsewhere. It has several variant spellings, including Payen and Payns, reflecting historical orthographic variations in the region. The name is primarily of historical interest due to its association with Hugues de Payns and the Knights Templar, rather than with a specific contemporary institution or place. See also Knights Templar, Hugues de Payns, and related variant spellings.