Contents [hide]

Hunter History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Hunter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The Anglo-Saxon name Hunter comes from when its first bearer worked as a hunter. The surname Hunter is derived from the Old English word hunta, which means hunter. 1

The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae listed Robert Le Huant in Normandy in 1198. 2

The name is "well distributed through England, except in the north, where its place is supplied by Hunter, which has the same signification. It is best represented in the south of England, especially in the county of Dorset, and after that in those of Wilts and Somerset." 3

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales includes and old poem about the name "With hunte and home, and houndes him beside."

Early Origins of the Hunter family

The surname Hunter was first found in Sussex where Humphrey le Hunte, was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1203. Later Ralphe Hunte was listed in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire of 1219. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed the following early entries for the family: Alice le Hunte in Oxfordshire; and Thomas le Hunte in Cambridgeshire. 5

Kirby's Quest lists the following in Somerset: Robert le Hunte and Robert le Honte, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of Edward III. 6

Early History of the Hunter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hunter research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1609, 1641, 1644, 1659, 1662, 1680, 1705 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hunter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hunter Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Hunter include Hunt, Hunter, Huntar and others.

Early Notables of the Hunter family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hunter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hunter World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hunter is the 130^th most popular surname with an estimated 171,603 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Hunter is ranked the 146^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,893 people with that name. 8 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hunter is the 523^rd popular surname with an estimated 88 people with that name. 9 Australia ranks Hunter as 106^th with 24,996 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Hunter as 99^th with 4,032 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Hunter as 103^rd with 46,215 people. 12

Migration of the Hunter family to Ireland

Some of the Hunter family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hunter migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hunter or a variant listed above:

Hunter Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Elizabeth Hunter, who arrived in Virginia in 1635
Christian Hunter, aged 20, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 13
Elizabeth Hunter, aged 18, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 13
Mr. Thomas Hunter, aged 14, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 14
Mr. William Hunter, aged 11, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Grace Hunter, who landed in Virginia in 1702 13
Patrick Hunter, who arrived in Maryland in 1716 13
Henry Hunter, who arrived in Maryland in 1738 13
Anthony Hunter, who landed in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania in 1740 13
Samuel Hunter, who landed in Maryland in 1744 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Edward Hunter, aged 34, who landed in America in 1803 13
Ann Hunter, aged 22, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 13
David Hunter, aged 24, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 13
Alexander Hunter, aged 21, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 13
Eleanor Hunter, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Edwin Osmond Hunter, who arrived in Alabama in 1926 13

Hunter migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hunter Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

William Hunter, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 330 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 15
Mr. David Hunter U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 15
Mr. David Hunter U.E. who settled in Edwardsburgh-Cardinal, Leeds & Grenville, Ontario c. 1784 he resettled in South Gower, 15
Mr. David Hunter U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ithamar Hunter, who arrived in Canada in 1828
William Hunter, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Andrew Hunter, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Agnes Hunter, aged 18, a spinster, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Robert Burns" in 1834
Margaret Hunter, aged 35, who arrived in Quebec in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter migration to Australia +

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

Hunter Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Hunter, British convict who was convicted in Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Miss Margaret Hunter, English convict who was convicted in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. George Hunter, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. James Hunter, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Thomas Hunter, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter 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:

Hunter Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

David Hunter, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 21
George Hunter, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 21
Robert Hunter, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 21
William Hunter, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Duke of Roxburgh 21
Barbara Hunter, aged 42, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hunter migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 22

Hunter Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Jonathon Hunter with his wife and servants settled in Barbados in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Hunter (post 1700) +

Brandon Hunter (1980-2023), American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA)
Brandon Hunter (1980-2023), American professional NBA basketball player (2003-2013)
Robert Dean Hunter (1928-2023), American politician and academic administrator, Vice President at Church of Christ-affiliated Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas
Lewis R. "Lew" Hunter (1935-2023), American screenwriter, author and educator and chairman Emeritus and Professor of Screenwriting at the UCLA Department of Film and Television
George "Ivy Jo" Hunter (1940-2022), American R&B songwriter, record producer and singer, most associated with his work for Motown in the 1960s
Cottrell James Hunter III (1968-2021), American two-time gold medalist shot putter and coach
Larry Hunter (1949-2018), American head basketball coach at Wittenberg University from 1976 to 1989
John Thurman Hunter Jr. (1931-2016), known by the stage name Long John Hunter, an American Texas blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter
Robert Hunter (1886-1971), American gold and sliver Olympic medalist for golf at the 1904 Summer Games
Brigadier-General George Bowditch Hunter (1879-1965), American Commanding Officer New Orleans Port of Embarkation (1941-1943) 23
... (Another 243 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hunter family +

Empress of Ireland

Mrs. Jessie Ogilvy Hunter (1866-1914), née Tulloch Canadian Second Class Passenger from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 24
Brigadier John Hunter (1863-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 24
Master John Hunter (1903-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 24
Miss Grace Hunter (1901-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 24

Hillcrest Coal Mine

Mr. Hugh Hunter (1879-1914), Scottish Miner from Sauchie or Fishcross, Clackmannan, Scotland, United Kingdom who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 25

HMS Hood

Mr. John M J Hunter (b. 1916), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Henlow, Bedfordshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 26

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. David Hunter, British Ordnance Artificer 4th Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 27

HMS Royal Oak

James Hunter (d. 1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
Frank Hunter (1903-1939), British Leading Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28

Ibrox disaster

Ian Scott Hunter (1957-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Lanarkshire who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 29

RMS Lusitania

Mrs. Maggie Hunter, Scottish 2nd Class passenger returning from Atlanta, Georgia, USA to Aberdeen Scotland to die at home, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 30
Mr. George Hardie Hunter, Scottish 2nd Class passenger returning from Atlanta, Georgia, USA relocating to Aberdeen, Scotland, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 30

USS Arizona

Mr. Robert Fredrick Hunter, American Seaman First Class from Ohio, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 31

Winter Quarters coal mine

Mr. Adam Hunter (b. 1857), Scottish mine worker from Clackmannanshire, Scotland residing in Ogden, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 32
Mr. David Hunter (b. 1872), Scottish mine worker from Clackmannanshire, Scotland residing in Ogden, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 32
Mr. James A Hunter (b. 1882), "Wanlass", American mine worker from Riverdale, Weber, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 32
Mr. James Chalmers Hunter (b. 1882), American mine worker from Kanseville, Weber, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 32
Mr. John Hunter (b. 1863), Scottish mine worker from Clackmannanshire, Scotland residing in Ogden, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 32
... (Another 2 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 30) George Hunter. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Hunter/George_Bowditch/USA.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
List Of Miners - Hillcrest Mine Disaster Data. (Retrieved 2014, June 24) . Retrieved from http://www.hillcrestminedisaster.com/data/index.php?title=List_Of_Miners
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Bradford City Football Club In memory (retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/club/in-memoriam/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Miners killed in Winter Quarters (retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from http://www.carbon-utgenweb.com/miners.html