French colonization of the Americas From 1851 to 1951 it was the site of a notorious penal colony, Devil's Island ("Île du Diable"). Since 1946, French Guiana has been an overseas department of France. French colonization of the Americas The French colonization of the Americas began in the 16th century, and continued on into the following centuries as France established a colonial empire in the Western Hemisphere. France founded colonies in much of eastern North America, on a number of Caribbean islands, and in South America. Most colonies were developed to export products such as fish, rice sugar, and furs. As they colonized the New
Stuart (name) an officer who controlled the domestic affairs of a household, especially of a royal household. After the Conquest, the term was used as an equivalent of "Seneschal", a steward of a manor or estate. A variant form of the given name is "Stewart". Pet forms of the given name are "Stu", "Stew" and "Stewie". Stuart (name) Stuart is a surname which was also adopted as a given name, traditionally for men. It is the French form of the Scottish surname "Stewart". The French form of the name was brought to Scotland from France by Mary Stuart, in the 16th century.