Want History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The surname Want was a nickname for someone who was "merry," derived from the Middle English word "wanton." 1

Early Origins of the Want family

The surname Want was first found in Lincolnshire where William Wantoun was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1298. Later, we found Stephen Wantoun listed in the Assize Rolls for Norfolk in 1312. 1

Further to the north in Scotland, the Wenton spelling prevailed. "Ingeram de Wenton and Thomas de Wenton were jurors at a court held at Le Bellocis Hill near Inverness, 1376-1367 (Innes Family, p. 63). Thomas Wentoun of Strikmertene, [was] a charter witness at Dudhope, 1609." 2

Early History of the Want family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Want research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1568 and 1603 are included under the topic Early Want History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Want Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Want has been recorded under many different variations, including Wantron, Wonton, Wanton, Wantown, Wantoon, Wantune, Wandon, Wand, Want and many more.

Early Notables of the Want family

Distinguished members of the family include

the Wanton family of London

Want migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Want or a variant listed above:

Want Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Want, who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, they managed to build a new ship to continue to Jamestown in 1610. 3

Want migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Want Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Want, (Sullivan), English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 27th August 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 4

Want migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Want Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Want, aged 33, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dilharree" in 1875
Margaret Want, aged 33, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dilharree" in 1875
James Want, aged 5, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dilharree" in 1875
Margaret Want, aged 2, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dilharree" in 1875

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian