Surname Trant - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Trant: What does the surname Trant mean?
The surname Trant is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "Þrándr," also written as "Thrond" or "Trond," which means "thriving" or "flourishing". It became "Trant" after being anglicized. The name is thought to have been introduced to England by the Vikings during their invasions and settlements in the early medieval period. As with many surnames in the early eras, it was likely based on a forename, hence given to 'son of Trant' or 'Thrándr's kin'. It is quite uncommon, indicating that only a small group of people either identified with or were identified with this moniker. Cases of the surname can be found particularly in the English counties of Dorset and Devon. There was an influential Trant family in Dorset during the 17th and 18th centuries, including Sir Patrick Trant, who was an official in Ireland for James I. However, please note that surname origins can be uncertain and this is one interpretation.
Order DNA origin analysisTrant: Where does the name Trant come from?
The surname Trant is commonly found throughout much of Ireland, specifically in the counties of Cork and Wexford. The surname is also common in south-east England, particularly in Sussex. The origin of the name is believed to be either a shortened form of the Irish name O'Treaty, or a form of Eligant/Eleganz, which was brought to Ireland by the Normans. Records of the name date back to the 12th century, when Sir Gilbert de Trant held land in the parish of Airlie, Wexford.
In Ireland, the surname is still well-represented in both its traditional homelands, with Wexford having the greatest concentration of Trants. It is also associated with Cork, Galway and Clare, as well as parts of Ulster. Meanwhile, in England the surname is most concentrated in East and West Sussex, though it is also found in lower numbers across further parts of the country.
Trants across the world are said to be descendants of a single family, who became dispersed throughout the centuries. Today, the Trant name still has plenty of living bearers, who are spread across the globe; from Ireland to Australia, the United States to the United Kingdom, Trants still hold their name with pride.
Variations of the surname Trant
The surname Trant is derived from the Norman language and comes from the Old French word “tranz” which means to cross or to move over. It is thought to have originally referred to a weir, bridge or ford and was likely used to describe a person who crossed the river often or managed the crossing.
The variants of Trant include Traunt, Tront, Trent, Trunte, Trunck and Trynt. Spellings of Trant include Trannt, Traynt and Traint.
The surname Trant is commonly seen in Germany, France, England and Ireland. It is particularly common in Ireland where some of the variations listed above are more common.
In Ireland the surname Trant can be Anglicized to several other surnames including Trance, Trantor, Tremble, Trimble and Trembles. It has also been seen shortened to “Tra” and “Tre”. In Scottish records the variation “Trent” might refer to the Trant surname.
In the United States Trant is the more common variant, while in Canada the variation “Trent” is more popular.
The Trant surname is also found as a given name in some European countries. In France Trant is a legal name and can be used as a first name, while in England the variant “Trent” is a popular given name.
Famous people with the name Trant
- Stephen Trant: Actor and singer who has appeared in theatre productions and films including Pompadour, The Dingo and The Cat Who Jumped from the Moon.
- Kathryn Trant: Musician, vocalist and songwriter best known for her work with the metal band Firekeeper.
- Kaleb Trant: Actor who starred in the TV series Eureka and recurring roles in Chuck and The Vampire Diaries.
- Charles Trant: An English footballer who competed in the 1960s and 1970s in various teams in the UK and in the US.
- Alfie Trant: British actor who appeared in numerous TV shows such as Clocking Off, Coronation Street and Doctors.
- Harry Trant: Former professional tennis player who has since become a tennis coach in Australia.
- Tom Trant: British actor best known for films such as The Return of the Native and Persuasion.
- Francis Trant: American film and television actor known for his roles in movies like War of the Worlds and TV shows such as My Two Dads.
- John Trant: Irish politician who served as a TD for Mayo from 2016 to 2020.
- Friends Trant: A short-lived multi-genre punk band from Philadelphia.