8 Little-Known Facts About Lumis Albert Beyincé: The Creole Grandfather Who Inspired Beyoncé's Name
The legacy of Lumis Albert Beyincé is far more profound than just being the grandfather of a global superstar. While the world knows his granddaughter, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, the story of the man who gave her a part of her iconic name is a deep, rich tapestry woven from the history of the American South. As of the current date in late 2025, renewed interest in celebrity ancestry continues to shine a light on the Beyincé family's roots, revealing a powerful narrative of Creole culture, migration, and resilience that directly influenced the Knowles-Carter dynasty.
Lumis Albert Beyincé’s life (1910–1982) was a quintessential American story of a hardworking man who moved from the rural French-speaking parishes of Louisiana to the bustling port city of Galveston, Texas, laying the foundation for his family's future success. His life, marked by dedication and a strong connection to his heritage, provides a crucial context for understanding the cultural identity that Beyoncé and her sister, Solange Knowles, frequently celebrate in their art.
Lumis Albert Beyincé: A Biographical Snapshot
Lumis Albert Beyincé was a central figure in the Knowles family history, serving as the patriarch whose surname would become a global brand. His biography is rooted in the unique cultural landscape of the Louisiana-Texas Gulf Coast.
- Full Name: Lumis Albert Beyincé (also cited as Lumas, Lumus, Albert Lumis, and with surname variations Buyince, Boyancé)
- Date of Birth: May 22, 1910
- Birthplace: Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, United States
- Date of Death: August 9, 1982
- Death Place: Galveston, Texas, United States
- Spouse: Agnèz Derouen (a seamstress, also known as Agnès Beyincé or Agnèz Deréon)
- Children: Celestine Ann "Tina" Beyincé (Knowles-Lawson), Rowland Martin "Butch" Buyincé, Lumis Joseph "Skip" Beyoncé Jr., and several other children.
- Parents: Alexandre Boyancé (father, born c. 1859) and Marie Zoé Olivier (mother, born c. 1868).
- Occupation: Longshoreman in Galveston, Texas.
- Legacy: His surname, Beyincé, was adapted by his granddaughter, Beyoncé, as her stage name.
The Deep Creole and Acadian Roots of the Beyincé Family
Lumis Albert Beyincé's story begins in the heart of Louisiana Creole culture, a heritage that is a blend of French, Spanish, African, and Native American ancestry. This background is central to the identity of his daughter, Tina Knowles-Lawson, and his granddaughters, Beyoncé and Solange.
1. The Surname is a Nod to French Heritage
The name "Beyincé" is an Anglicized version of the original French-Creole surname, which appears in historical records as Boyancé or Buyince. The name’s transition reflects the cultural shifts and phonetic changes that often occurred as French-speaking Creole families integrated into the predominantly English-speaking American South. The accent aigu (é) in the final form, "Beyincé," is a deliberate nod to this French linguistic heritage, a detail that Tina Knowles-Lawson has publicly embraced and celebrated.
2. He Was Born in a Creole Heartland
Lumis Albert was born in Abbeville, located in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. This region is historically significant for its deep-rooted Creole and Cajun communities. His parents, Alexandre Boyancé and Marie Zoé Olivier, were part of this French-speaking population, and Lumis himself was raised speaking French, reinforcing the cultural depth of the Beyincé lineage.
3. Direct Lineage to an Acadian Resistance Leader
The Beyincé family's historical roots stretch back even further to the French colonials of Acadia, a region that is now part of the Maritime provinces of Canada. Remarkably, the family tree connects to Joseph Beausoleil Broussard, a legendary Acadian resistance leader and folk hero. Broussard was a pivotal figure who helped Acadians evade deportation during the "Great Upheaval" (Le Grand Dérangement) in the mid-18th century, a powerful story of survival and defiance that runs through Beyoncé's maternal line.
The Journey from Louisiana to the Galveston Docks
Lumis Albert Beyincé’s adult life was defined by the Great Migration, a period when millions of African Americans, including many Creoles, moved from the rural South to urban centers for better economic opportunities. His move from Louisiana to Texas was a crucial step that shaped the destiny of his descendants.
4. He Was a Galveston Longshoreman
After moving from Louisiana, Lumis Albert settled in Galveston, Texas, where he worked as a longshoreman. This was a physically demanding and often dangerous job on the docks, involving the loading and unloading of cargo ships. His work ethic and dedication to this profession were a testament to the resilience and determination of his generation, providing a stable, working-class foundation for his family in the growing city of Galveston Island.
5. The Family Name Was Nearly Lost
Lumis Albert’s daughter, Celestine Ann, better known as Tina, was given the surname Beyincé. However, due to a clerical error on her birth certificate, the accent aigu was dropped, and the name was recorded as "Beyince." Tina Knowles-Lawson has often recounted this story, expressing a desire to reclaim the original French spelling. The fact that her famous daughter chose to use the family name as her stage name—Beyoncé—is a profound act of honoring her maternal grandfather's heritage and correcting the historical record in the most public way possible.
6. The Deréon Connection is Through His Wife
While Lumis Albert’s surname is Beyincé, his wife, Agnèz Derouen, contributed another significant name to the family's public identity. Agnèz was a talented seamstress, and her maiden name, which is sometimes cited as Deréon, was used by Tina Knowles-Lawson to co-found the popular fashion line, House of Deréon. This means that both of Beyoncé's maternal grandparents—Lumis Albert Beyincé and Agnèz Derouen—have had their names immortalized through their granddaughter's career and business ventures.
7. Lumis Albert Was a Father of at Least Six
Lumis Albert Beyincé and Agnèz Derouen raised a large family. While Tina Knowles-Lawson is the most famous of his children, Lumis was the father of at least six children, including his sons Rowland Martin "Butch" Buyincé and Lumis Joseph "Skip" Beyoncé Jr. This large, close-knit family structure, rooted in the Catholic faith and Creole traditions, was the environment that shaped Tina Knowles and, subsequently, her own children.
8. His Legacy is a Theme in Modern Black Culture
Lumis Albert Beyincé's life story—the journey from the French-speaking bayous of Louisiana to the working-class docks of Texas—is a powerful metaphor for the history of many Black families in the Gulf Coast region. His legacy of resilience, cultural pride, and hard work is subtly woven into the artistic output of his granddaughters. From Beyoncé's visual album *Lemonade* to her celebration of Southern and Black-American culture, the foundation laid by Lumis Albert Beyincé in Abbeville and Galveston is continually celebrated, ensuring that the history of the Beyincé name remains a vital part of the global cultural conversation.
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