Show ContentsAnthon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Anthon

What does the name Anthon mean?

Anthon is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. Anthon comes from the Latin family name Antonius, which means "inestimable or worthy of praise." 1 Another source notes that it may have been derived from "the personal name; also a parish in Cornwall. Places called St. Antoine and Antoigni occur in Normandy. " 2

Early Origins of the Anthon family

The surname Anthon was first found in Lincolnshire. "The name had become fairly popular in England in the 13th century, as having been borne by the great hermit of the 4th century. He was the patron saint of the swineherd. " 3

Early History of the Anthon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Anthon research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1550, 1568, 1585, 1607, 1613, 1616, 1623 and 1655 are included under the topic Early Anthon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Anthon Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Anthon include Anthony, Antony, Antonie, McAnthony, Anton (Scot), Anthoney, Enthony and many more.

Early Notables of the Anthon family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • William Anthony, Chief engraver to the Royal Mint who engraved all the coins for King Edward VI, Queen Mary and the first Queen Elizabeth (1568.) Anthony of Knight's Close is the family seat
  • John Anthony (1585-1655), was an English physician, educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1613. 4
  • Francis Anthony (1550-1623), was a noted empiric and chemical physician, born in London 16 April 1550, and was the son of a goldsmith, who had a place in the jewel office under Queen Elizabeth. 4

Migration of the Anthon family to Ireland

Some of the Anthon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Anthon migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Anthons to arrive on North American shores:

Anthon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Michael Anthon, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1744 5
  • George Christian Anthon, who arrived in New York, NY in 1757 5
Anthon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Juan Anthon, aged 30, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1831 5
  • Daniel Anthon, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Anthon (post 1700) +

  • William H. Anthon, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Richmond County, 1851 6
  • John H. Anthon, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 16th District, 1856 6
  • Anthon Villatoro (b. 1970), Guatemalan former professional cyclist who represented Guatemala at the 1996 Olympic Games


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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