Surname Daunt - Meaning and Origin

Daunt: What does the surname Daunt mean?

The last name Daunt is an English surname derived from the Middle/Old English word "dant" meaning "bold" or "fearless".

The Daunt family is believed to have come from Normandy, France, emerging in England shortly after the time of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. An early record of the family shows a Christian de Daunt of Devonshire who was the son of Henry de Daunt in 1086 A.D.

The Daunt family resided primarily in the English counties of Devon and Cornwall. Variants of the surname include Dauntese, Dauntess and Daunton. In the 1600's, members the Daunt family emigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania.

The Daunt family is known for a commitment to their faith, with many members serving in various branches of the clergy. They also had a long tradition of service in the military, with members of the family distinguishing themselves in battle. The Daunt family is also remembered for the founding of prominent educational establishments and for its patronage of the arts.

It is believed that the primary characteristics of members of the Daunt family are courage, strength, and loyalty. They value the importance of leading a life with purpose and have an innate sense of strong character. This has served the Daunt family for many centuries and will continue to serve them for many to come.

Daunt: Where does the name Daunt come from?

The last name Daunt is commonly found in England, Ireland, and Wales. In England, it is most commonly concentrated in the counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Oxfordshire. According to a survey conducted in the 19th century, the last name Daunt was most commonly found in these three counties in the United Kingdom.

In Ireland, Daunt is commonly found in the counties of Kilkenny and Tipperary. There is a castle in Daunt’s Cross, Ireland that has been owned by the Daunt Family since the early 1600s. This castle is still standing and is a popular tourist attraction today.

In Wales, the Daunt surname is more widely dispersed. It is most commonly seen in Pembrokeshire and Monmouthshire. The last name Daunt is still a relatively common one in Wales today.

In the United States, the Daunt surname is not particularly common. According to the United States Census Bureau, there are fewer than 400 individuals living with the Daunt surname in the United States. Most of these individuals are located in California, Texas, Massachusetts, and New York.

Variations of the surname Daunt

The surname Daunt is a variant of the surname Daunt, which has a variety of spellings and variants from various languages and cultures.

In England, Daunt is often spelled ‘Daunte’ or ‘Daunce’. The variant ‘Donte’ is also used in English. The variant ‘Dauneth’ has been found in some records from Cornwall. In Ireland, Daunt is often spelled ‘Daunte’ or ‘Dont’.

Variants of the surname Daunt include Daunt, Donte, Daunce, Donat, Daunet, and Dauntry. The variants ‘Dounton’ and ‘Dauntrye’ are related, and these were the most common ones in Ireland from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

Surnames related to Daunt include Dauntrell, Daun, Dauntrey, Dawney, Dauney, Daune, Dannett, Daunton, and Downton. Daunton has been found in multiple spelling variations, including Dauntel, Donton, and Duntun.

In Scotland, variants of the surname Daunt include Dauntfield, Dauntless, Dauntice, Daunei, and Daunzell.

In German speaking regions of Europe, Daunt is often spelled ‘Dauntel’ or ‘Daontel’. The derived surnames ‘Donie’, ‘Daunte’, and ‘Dauntelman’ have also been used.

In France, variants of the surname Daunt include Daunte, Daunce, Dauntel, Dontel, and Dauncey. The name ‘Daunceau’ has been found in the Roussillon region of France in records from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Famous people with the name Daunt

• William Daunt (1800–1889), Irish astronomer
• Eilish Daunt (1901–1992), Irish sprinter
• Graham Daunt (born 1950), English actor
• Chris Daunt (1933–1992), New Zealand cricketer
• Edgar Daunt (1881–1944), English clergyman
• Mervyn Daunt (1888–1957), English cricketer
• Anthony Daunt (1941–2006), Irish politician and surgeon
• Sir Nicholas Daunt (1752–1818), English politician and Member of Parliament
• William Daunt (1622–1690), English naturalist and author
• John Daunt (1769–1831), English author and printer

Other surnames

Daunor