Conter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Conter was first found in Cornwall in the parish of St. Clement's.

"In this town, says Hals, is that well known place called Con-or Con-dura. From which place, in all probability, was denominated Cundor or Conder, in Latin Condorus, Earl of Cornwall, at the time of the Norman Conquest, who perhaps lived or was born here. And moreover, the inhabitants of this church town and the neighbourhood will tell you by tradition from age to age, that here once dwelt a great lord and lady Condura. This Condorus, as our historians tell us, submitted to the Conqueror's jurisdiction in 1066, paid homage for his earldom, and took an oath of fealty to him. But this account has not the appearance of truth; for most certain it is, he in the third year of the Conqueror's reign, was deprived of his earldom, the same being given to Robert Earl of Moreton, whose son succeeded him in that dignity. But be this as it may, it is certain that this Condorus had a son named Caddock, by some called Condorus the second, whose chief residence was at Inceworth, near Millbrook. This Caddock died in the year 1120, and his remains now lie in the chancel of St. Stephen's Church, near Saltash." 1

Another source claims the family was from Shropshire (Salop) where they were Lords of the Manor at Condover. In this case, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands and large village of Condover were held by Earl Roger and Roger Venator who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. 2