Surname Caunce - Meaning and Origin
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Caunce: What does the surname Caunce mean?
The last name Caunce is an English or Irish surname, derived from the Old French term "conse." This term could refer to someone with an acute faculty of discernment, thoughtfulness, or authority. It could also indicate someone who held a counseling role of sorts.
Caunce is believed to be related to similar surnames like Chance, Chauncey, Chancer, and Counce. All of these names contain the same root, indicating someone who held a position of trust and authority, or suggested a certain level of discernment.
The Caunce surname first appears in records from the 14th century, in which it was used as a personal name. From there, it evolved into a family or occupational name. For example, some people adopted it as the name of their local court or tribunal. In some cases, the Caunce surname was used to describe merchants or people involved in trade.
The Caunce surname is rare and unique. Though its exact meaning is unknown, the term Caunce has roots in authority, trust, and understanding. The Caunce family has likely maintained a strong reputation over the years, thanks to the positive traits associated with the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisCaunce: Where does the name Caunce come from?
The last name Caunce is most commonly found in England today. It is thought to have originated in Lancashire, from an area near the small hamlet of Caunce in the parish of Bispham. The name is thought to derive from the Old English pre-7th Century "Cauncha", meaning "Man from the corner".
In the mid-1800s, the name spread to Scotland, with records of the family taking up residence in the Portpatrick area of Wigtownshire. They eventually made the move south to settle in the city of Liverpool.
Today, the Caunce name is found in many areas throughout England, including the Greater London area, Manchester and its surrounding area, and Lancashire. Census records from the mid-20th Century show its prevalence in the North West of England, especially in Lancashire, where around 5% of the population was recorded with the Caunce name.
The Caunce name is still quite common in England, and those with the name are proud of their heritage. It is thought that the name is still quite popular today, with the internet helping people to reconnect with their roots and trace their genealogy.
Variations of the surname Caunce
The surname Caunce is a variation or spelling of a few different names, including Cauncey, Cauncy, Caunsey and Caunsy. These surnames are all derived from the Old French name Chanceux, which meant “lucky" or “fortunate."
The variants of Caunce may also be spelled Cauncy, Cauncee, Cauncey, Caunsey, Cauncye, Caunce, and Caunceey.
The surname Caunce is found in the UK and Europe, most notably in the northern regions of England. It can be traced back to the medieval period, when the name Cauncey was more common.
In Scotland, one of the variants, Cauncey, was often spelled Cauncey or Cauncy. This can be found in charters and burials from the 1200s in Renfrewshire and in the 1100s in Lanarkshire.
In Ireland, the variant Caunce has been found in a variety of records including censuses, charters, and wills from the 1600s onward.
The surnames Caunce, Cauncee, Cauncy, Cauncey, Caunsey, and Caunsy all have the same origin but may have slightly different spellings or pronunciations. Regardless, they originated from the Middle French name Chanceux.
Famous people with the name Caunce
- Rupert Caunce: A British former professional rugby league footballer.
- Charlotte Caunce: A British educator and the co-founder of My Family Care.
- Derek Caunce: A British Liberal Democrat politician, councillor, and the former leader of Pendle Borough Council.
- Frederick Caunce: An English Anglican clergyman and poet active in the 19th century whose most well-known work is “Light and Shade”.
- John Caunce: An English cricketer who represented Lancashire in the 1970s.
- Sue Caunce: A British actress who has appeared in numerous films and television series such as Coronation Street, Doctor Who, and The Young Ones.
- William Caunce: A British news and sports journalist who worked for ITV News for over 40 years.
- Thomas Caunce: A British army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Second Boer War.
- Richard Caunce: An English baronet and royalist active during the reign of Charles I.
- Peter Caunce: An English politician who represented Liverpool in Parliament between 1710 and 1722.