Cantrale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Cantrale reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Cantrale family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Cantrale family lived in Lancashire. The family descend from a Norman noble who arrived from the area of Chantarel, Normandy with the 1066 invasion. The name is possibly derived from the Old French words chanterelle, which translates in English to "a small bell" or from canterellus which means "the little singer." 1

By way of confirmation, researchers found William and Roger Cantarel, of Normandy, 1198 listed in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae. 2

Early Origins of the Cantrale family

The surname Cantrale was first found in Yorkshire. "Most of my instances hail from Yorkshire. I could have adduced others. It is there the surname is still most largely represented." 3

The first record of the family in Britain was found in the Rotuli Curiae Regis. There Alberic Chanterhill, of England, 1199 was listed. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Alice Cainterel, Yorkshire; William Chanterel, Northamptonshire; Richard Chaunterel, Wiltshire; and Martin Chanterrl, Yorkshire. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Johannes Quayntorell; and Johanna Quayntell. 3

Early History of the Cantrale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cantrale research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1503, 1569, 1632, 1673, 1685, 1700 and 1773 are included under the topic Early Cantrale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cantrale Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Cantrale family name include Cantrell, Cantrel, Cantrill, Cantril, Chantrell and many more.

Early Notables of the Cantrale family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cantrale Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cantrale family to Ireland

Some of the Cantrale family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cantrale family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Cantrale family to immigrate North America: William Cantrill who settled in Virginia in 1608, twelve years before the "Mayflower," was descended from Humphrey Cantrill from Woodley Wokingham. The family settled in Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania and New York.

The Cantrale Motto +

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: Propio vos sanguine pasco
Motto Translation: I feed you with kindred blood.

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. 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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)