Trent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Scotland 


The Anglo-Saxon name Trent comes from the family having resided in the settlement of Trent in the county of Dorset, or on the banks of the Trent River. 1 This parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Trente. 2 The surname Trent belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, farmsteads, or other locations. "Anglo-Saxon charters Trenta, Traenta, the Treonta of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles A.D. 924, and the Treanta of Baeda. In my opinion the name is a survival of the Latin torrent-em (Ital. torrénte), a torrent, in allusion to the famous bore or eagre of the lower part of the river." 3

Early Origins of the Trent family

The surname Trent was first found in Somerset where John de Trente was recorded in the 12th century. Later in London, William Trent was listed in 1300 and later again, Peter Trente was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1351. 1 Trent is a parish, in the union of Sherborne, hundred of Horethorne, E. division of Somerset. 4 Gilbert de Trent was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 5

The Tranter variant is most interesting. The name evolved from the occupation for someone "who peddles and hawks from place to place," to the spelling Trant. Terri Trauetarius was listed at Winton, Hampshire in 1148 followed by Philip Trenter in the Curia Regis Rolls for Essex in 1221. Again in Essex, we found Hugo le Tranuenter in 1292 and in Cornwall, Mark le Traveter was listed in 1306. Simon le Traunter was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 1 Records in 1547, show the Churchwardens' Accounts in Ludlow having noted Agnes Traunter and Annes Tranter. 6

Further to the north in Scotland, the name "is a curtailed form of Tranent. William Trent was a monk of Cupar Abbey in 1456, and in 1521 Petrus Trent witnessed a tack by the abbot of the same house. John Trent was tenant of the Abbey of Neubotle in 1563, a later John Trent was retoured heir of James Trent in Newbottell, his father, in 1638 and in 1661 William Trent was retoured heir of John Trent, his father." 7

Early History of the Trent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trent research. Another 196 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1456, 1622, 1638, 1655, 1672, 1689, 1724, 1739, 1769, 1787 and 1839 are included under the topic Early Trent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Trent Spelling Variations

Trent has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Trent, Trente, Trend and others.

Early Notables of the Trent family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Trent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Trent Ranking

In the United States, the name Trent is the 1,281st most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 8


Trent migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Trents to arrive on North American shores:

Trent Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Trent Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Trent migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Trent Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Trent migration to Australia +

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

Trent Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Trent 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:

Trent Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Trent (post 1700) +


The Trent 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: Augeo
Motto Translation: I increase.


Suggested Readings for the name Trent +
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