Show ContentsQuintrell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Quintrell reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Quintrell family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Quintrell 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 Quintrell family

The surname Quintrell 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 Quintrell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Quintrell 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 Quintrell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Quintrell Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Cantrell, Cantrel, Cantrill, Cantril, Chantrell and many more.

Early Notables of the Quintrell family

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

Ireland Migration of the Quintrell family to Ireland

Some of the Quintrell 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.


Canada Quintrell migration to Canada +

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Quintrell name or one of its variants:

Quintrell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Quintrell, (b. 1826), aged 29, Cornish stonemason, from Newquay, Cornwall, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he survived the sinking 4

Australia Quintrell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Quintrell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Quintrell, aged 39, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "General Hewett"
  • John Quintrell, aged 20, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "General Hewett"
  • Margaret Quintrell, aged 15, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "General Hewett"
  • Mary Quintrell, aged 17, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "General Hewett"

New Zealand Quintrell migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Quintrell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Edmund Quintrell, (b. 1841), aged 34, Cornish labourer departing on 5th October 1875 aboard the ship "Soukar" going to Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand arriving in port on 24th January 1876 5
  • Mrs. Eliza Quintrell, (b. 1848), aged 27, Cornish settler departing on 5th October 1875 aboard the ship "Soukar" going to Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand arriving in port on 24th January 1876 5
  • Mr. Johnston Quintrell, (b. 1854), aged 21, Cornish labourer departing on 5th October 1875 aboard the ship "Soukar" going to Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand arriving in port on 24th January 1876 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Quintrell (post 1700) +

  • Robert N Quintrell (1931-1983), Australian-born, Canadian cricketer
  • Sarah Quintrell, British actress, best known for fer role as Sinéad in the BBC TV sitcom Carrie and Barry

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Leslie Quintrell, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, was listed as missing and presumed killed during the evacuation of Singapore 1942 6


The Quintrell 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.


  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. 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)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
  5. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
  6. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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