| ![Show Contents]() Canter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Canter family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a choirmaster. Checking further we found the name was derived from the word cantor, the Latin word for precentor. The name could have also come from the Old English word gaunter which was the trade name of a glover, or one who makes gloves. Early Origins of the Canter familyThe surname Canter was first found in Oxfordshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Early History of the Canter familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Canter research. Another 209 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1230, 1273 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Canter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Canter Spelling VariationsCanter has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Canter have been found, including Caunter, Canter, Ganter, Gaunter, Cantor, Cantour, Cauntor and many more. Early Notables of the Canter familyNotables of the family at this time include - Walter le Canter, a prominent 13th century landholder in Oxfordshire
Canter RankingIn the United States, the name Canter is the 5,132nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1
 Canter migration to the United States | + |
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Canters to arrive on North American shores:
Canter Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Tho Canter, who landed in Virginia in 1664 2
Canter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Jacob Canter, aged 38, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
- George Canter, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1761 2
Canter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Peter Canter, who arrived in Colorado in 1882 2
- Charles Canter, aged 48, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
Canter Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- David Canter, aged 22, who settled in America from Manchester, in 1904
- Barnet Canter, aged 21, who settled in America from London, England, in 1907
- Elias Canter, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Manchester, England, in 1910
- C. Canter, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1919
- Alfred Canter, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1920
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Canter (post 1700) | + |
- Jonathan Canter (b. 1965), American former professional tennis player who was ranked World No. 36 (October 13, 1986)
- David Canter (b. 1973), American NFL sports agent
- Dan Canter (b. 1961), retired American soccer defender
- Marc Canter, American CEO of Broadband Mechanics
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Quam non terret hyems
Motto Translation: Which winger does not nip with cold.
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- 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)
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Canter migration to the United States 
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