The
Anglo-Saxon name Custance comes from the baptismal name which means
Custance. Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames.
Early Origins of the Custance family
The surname Custance was first found in
Norfolk where they held a
family seat as Lords of the Manor. Their family seat later emerged at Weston House in Norwich in that shire. From their early beginnings, for the next few centuries, the family name also acquired other estates or manors as branches established themselves throughout
England. The major conflicts of the eras, such as the War of the Roses, the English
Reformation, and the English Civil War sometimes found them to be in opposing camps, with conflicting interests. For instance, the ancient, most popular form of the name was Constance.
Early History of the Custance family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Custance research.
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1629, 1801, and 1881 are included under the topic Early Custance History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Custance 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 Custance has appeared include Custerson, Custer, Custance, Constance, Custeson and others.
Early Notables of the Custance family (pre 1700)
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Custance Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Custance family to the New World and Oceana
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 Custance arrived in North America very early: Peter Cussens, who settled in America in 1662; Leonard Cussens, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1725; Emanuel Custer, who came to Maryland in 1811; James Custer, who settled in New York in 1832.
Contemporary Notables of the name Custance (post 1700)
- Rear Admiral Wilfred Neville Custance CB (1884-1939), British officer in the Royal Navy, Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron (1937-1939)
- Olive Eleanor Custance (1874-1944), British poet, wife of Lord Alfred Douglas
- Lara Custance (b. 1922), New Zealand actress, known for her roles as Abi in the TV series Paradise Café
- Rafe Custance (b. 1994), New Zealand actor, famous for starring in the New Zealand children's drama The New Tomorrow, alongside his sister Lara Custance
- Arthur C. Custance (1910-1985), English-born, Canadian anthropologist, scientist and author
- Rear Admiral Wilfred Neville Custance (1884-1939), British senior officer in the Royal Navy
The Custance 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: Appetitus rationi pareat
Motto Translation: Let your desires obey your reason.