Show ContentsCancour History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Cancour family

The surname Cancour was first found in Lincolnshire where the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that shire. De Fanecourt was listed in the Rotuli Hundredorum of 1279. 1 They were originally from Fallancourt (Falencourt) in Seine-Inf, Neufchatel in Normandy. 2

Early History of the Cancour family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cancour research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1203, 1247, 1273, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Cancour History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cancour Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Fancourt, Fancor, Cancour, Fancott, Fancutt, Fancot, Fancut, Fancort, Fanecourt, Fanecor and many more.

Early Notables of the Cancour family

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

Migration of the Cancour family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World 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 stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Cancour or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. 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)


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