Show ContentsChaunster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Chaunster finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a choirmaster, or precentor, in a medieval church. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Anglo French chantour, or chanteor in the Old French, a word for a singer, chorister, or precentor.

Early Origins of the Chaunster family

The surname Chaunster was first found in Leicestershire. However, one of the first records of the name was Hugh Sottovagina (died c. 1140), often referred to as Hugh the Chanter or Hugh the Chantor, a historian for York Minster during the 12th century. A few years later, John the Chanter (died 1191) was Bishop of Exeter (1186-1191), he is buried in Exeter Cathedral, where his tomb survives.

Early History of the Chaunster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chaunster research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1235, 1273, 1379, 1500, 1735 and 1761 are included under the topic Early Chaunster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chaunster Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Chaunster has been recorded under many different variations, including Chanter, Chantur, Chanster, Chaunter, Chaunster, Chantor, Chauntur, Chauntor, Chauntour and many more.

Early Notables of the Chaunster family

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

Migration of the Chaunster family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Chaunster or a variant listed above: Nicholas Chaunter, who arrived in Barbados in 1686; John Chaunter, who arrived in America in 1736; John Chanter, who settled in America in 1736; Thomas Chaunter, who settled in America in 1749.



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