Show ContentsSainter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Sainter came to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066, and stems from two possible sources. Firstly, it is a metonymic for the surname "Century," which is derived from the Old French "centurier," meaning "belt maker or girdler"; in this instance, the name would have been originally borne by someone who made or sold belts. Alternatively, the name is derived from the Old French "seintier," meaning "bell founder"; thus, the name referred to someone who made bells.

Early Origins of the Sainter family

The surname Sainter was first found in the records of the Early London Personal Names, where Edmund Sein(e)tier was recorded between 1160 and 1168. Another early London bearer of the name was Benedict le Seintier, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of London in 1197.

Early History of the Sainter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sainter research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1168, 1197, 1206, 1219, 1275, 1298, 1333, 1808 and 1879 are included under the topic Early Sainter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sainter Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Center, Centers, Senter, Senters, Sainter, Santer and others.

Early Notables of the Sainter family

More information is included under the topic Early Sainter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Sainter migration to Australia +

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

Sainter Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Sainter, English convict from Woolwich, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on October 16, 1826, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 1


  1. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Andromeda voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1826 with 147 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1826


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