normand

Normand is a term used as both a demonym and an adjective relating to Normandy, a historical region in northern France. In French, the masculine form is normand and the feminine normande; in English, Normand can be used as a proper noun or as an alternative form of Norman. The word derives from Old French Normant, itself from Latin Normannus, associated with the Norse–Northmen who settled in the area in the early medieval period and gave rise to the Duchy of Normandy.

Historically, Normans established and ruled the duchy that became a significant political and cultural force in medieval Europe. In 1066, Norman forces conquered England, shaping language, law, and architecture on both sides of the English Channel. The Norman cultural influence spread beyond the region, contributing to developments in the British Isles, southern Europe, and beyond. Today, Normandy is a historical and geographic region in France, commonly referred to in English as Normandy and in French as Normandie.

Language and culture are notable aspects of the normand designation. The Norman language, or normand, is a regional Romance language of the Oïl family spoken in parts of Normandy. It includes dialects such as Cotentinais (Cotentin), Cauchois, and Augeron. French increasingly supplanted normand through the modern era, but revival efforts and continued use in certain communities persist. The term also appears in place names and surnames, reflecting its historical and regional associations.

Overall, normand denotes origin from or connections to Normandy, reflecting a legacy that spans historic governance, language, and cultural exchange across Europe.