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Author: Cheeseman_of_Kent
Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.chant/317.5.1/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
These is no evidence to date that a Chaunt(e) person arrived in England to settle in
Somerset in the early 1300's. The taking or development of surnames occurred between
1100 and 1400 in England. It was far from compulsorary and was a reaction to the need to
record people in official records to do with land, taxes and various other property and
business transactions. The recording of Baptisms, marriages and burials began in 1539.
Though not everywhere at the same time. Many early entries or registers have been lost to
the ravages of time. There may well at one time have been details on Chant/Chaunt(e)
families of that time that we know nothing about due to lost church records.
Be careful of any assumptions. They have caught many researchers including myself off
guard with following incorrect family lines or information. Be more aware
of the times these people lived in. The clergy spoke
Latin and wrote in Latin c 1400's, the common folk
spoke middle English which is very different to todays English - remember English is
adaptive and words and meanings have altered over time. Thirdly the English Royal Court
spoke French in the past. Someone asked to sing - Chant /Chaunt in Church or at the local
manor may be named for just being a local singer. There are many Chant's in my family
lines with musical talent including my children.
In my family this ability generally is in every second generation going back to at least
1844 with Luke Chant my 3x great grandfather. is this a family inherited trait with other
Chant Chaunt lines I wonder?
regards
Michael Cheeseman
Great Grandson of Alice Chant 1894-1971
Descendant Of William Chant and Mary Rogers married Sherborne Dorset 1765. Researching 16
Chant families - Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire since 1979
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