Show ContentsChauntur History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Chauntur is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally 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 Chauntur family

The surname Chauntur 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 Chauntur family

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

Chauntur Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Chauntur has appeared include Chanter, Chantur, Chanster, Chaunter, Chaunster, Chantor, Chauntur, Chauntor, Chauntour and many more.

Early Notables of the Chauntur family

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

Migration of the Chauntur family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Chauntur arrived in North America very early: 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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