Show ContentsGenter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Genter surname is derived from the Norman personal name Gunter, which came in turn from the Old French Gontier.

Early Origins of the Genter family

The surname Genter was first found in Breconshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog), a traditional county in southern Wales, which takes its name from the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog (5th-10th centuries), where they held a family seat on the Welsh border. The Celtic resistance north and south along the border of Wales and England was considerably increased after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Normans met more resistance from the Welsh than in the rest of England. The Welsh fought from behind their hills and mountains and tenaciously held their ground. Finally, Edward 1st, to placate this founding nation, conferred the principality of Wales upon his eldest son, who became Edward II. This brought Wales into England as an equal while the King was alive, and integral part of the royal title when on the throne. Edward III confirmed and all Princes of Wales were presented to the Welsh people at Caernarvon Castle. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Welsh surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Genter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Genter research. Another 182 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1076, 1084, 1135, 1141, 1205, 1214, 1406, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1559, 1562, 1581, 1600, 1603, 1604 and 1626 are included under the topic Early Genter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Genter Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gunter, Gunther, Gonton, Guynton, Goynton, Guynter, Gounter, Gaunter, Gawnter, Guntier, Guntar, Gonton, Gunbert and many more.

Early Notables of the Genter family

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


United States Genter migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Genter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Daniel Genter, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1773 1
Genter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Conrad Genter, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1856 1
  • Francis Genter, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1856 1
  • Edward Genter, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1872 1

Canada Genter migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Genter Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Jacob Genter, who landed in Manitoba in 1876


  1. 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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