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![Show Contents]() Chauntour History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Chauntour is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to 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 Chauntour familyThe surname Chauntour 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 Chauntour familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chauntour research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1235, 1273, 1379, 1500, 1735 and 1761 are included under the topic Early Chauntour History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Chauntour Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Chauntour include Chanter, Chantur, Chanster, Chaunter, Chaunster, Chantor, Chauntur, Chauntor, Chauntour and many more. Early Notables of the Chauntour familyMore information is included under the topic Early Chauntour Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Chauntour familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Chauntour were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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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