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![Show Contents]() Kanton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Early Origins of the Kanton familyThe surname Kanton was first found in the East Riding of Yorkshire at Ganton, a parish, in the union of Scarborough, wapentake of Dickering. "The church is a large and handsome structure of the 14th century, and has an embattled tower at the west end, surmounted by a commanding spire." 1 The first record of the name was John Galmeton who held estates in that shire in the North Riding at Ganton. 2 A canton is a type of administrative division of a country, a term that dates back centuries. The term is derived from the French word canton, meaning corner or district. 3 Phonetically, it is worth noting that Centwine or Kenten (d. 685), was King of the West Saxons, the son of Cynegils and the brother of Cenwalh. "Accepting the statement of Bæda (Eccl. Hist. iv. 12) that after Cenwalh's death the under-kings of the West Saxons divided the kingdom between them for about ten years, we must hold that Centwine had considerably less power than his brother had enjoyed. The 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,' however, says nothing of any such division. " 4 Early History of the Kanton familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kanton research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1234, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Kanton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Kanton Spelling VariationsKanton 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: Gamton, Ganton, Canton, Candon, Gandon, Ganden, Canden and many more. Early Notables of the Kanton familyMore information is included under the topic Early Kanton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Kanton migration to Canada | + |
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 Kantons to arrive on North American shores: Kanton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Samuel Kanton, aged 30, a pensioner, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
- John Kanton, aged 12, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
- William Kanton, aged 10, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
- Thomas Kanton, aged 9, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
- Jane Kanton, aged 6, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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Kanton migration to Canada 
