Kent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Kent

What does the name Kent mean?

The name Kent belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in the county of Kent. The surname Kent belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names. As a general rule, the greater the distance between individuals and their homelands, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, people who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of the region or country from which they came.

Early Origins of the Kent family

The surname Kent was first found in Berkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, some say before the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D. The first record of this family was at Thatcham, shown in the Domesday Book as King's Land, containing a church and two mills. This is one of Berkshire's oldest villages.

The Hundreodumn Rolls had two early listings for the family and both had the Norman "de" prefix which was quite common at the time: Robert de Kent, Norfolk; and Gilbert de Kent, Lincolnshire. 1

Further to the north in Scotland, the family was "settled at Innerwick in East Lothian, in the middle of the twelfth century. Radulfus de Kent received some lands in Ennyrwic from Walter the Steward c. 1165, and before 1177 he witnessed the gift of the church of Cragin (Craigie) in Kyle to the monks of Paisley. " 2

Early History of the Kent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kent research. Another 216 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1190, 1296, 1379, 1383, 1390, 1391, 1392, 1393, 1394, 1401, 1402, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1409, 1410 and 1413 are included under the topic Early Kent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kent Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Kent include Kent, Kents, Kentish and others.

Early Notables of the Kent family

Notables of the family at this time include

John Kent (died 1413), a politician from Reading in the English county of Berkshire, a mercer in the town of Reading and was elected Mayor there for the years 1391-1392, 1393-1394, 1401-1402, 1405-140...

Kent World Ranking

In the United States, the name Kent is the 676^th most popular surname with an estimated 42,279 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Kent is ranked the 850^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,308 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Kent is the 259^th popular surname with an estimated 171 people with that name. 5 Australia ranks Kent as 304^th with 11,789 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Kent as 675^th with 1,052 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Kent as 355^th with 17,681 people. 8

Migration of the Kent family to Ireland

Some of the Kent family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kent migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Kent were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Kent Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Humphrey Kent who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "George"
Mrs. Joane Kent, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Tyger" 9
Edward Kent, who settled in New England in 1630
Joshua, and John Kent, who, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1630
Richard and Stephen Kent who settled in Newbury Port in Massachusetts in 1634
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kent Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Abraham Kent, who landed in America in 1714 9
Matheis Kent, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743 9
Rodolphus Kent, who arrived in New York in 1789 9

Kent Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Redmond Kent, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 9
Michael Kent, aged 25, who arrived in America in 1822 9
Pierce Kent, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1852 9
Randal Kent, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1856 9
Miss Mary A. Kent, aged 21, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kent Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Amelia Kent, who landed in Colorado in 1901 9
Mrs. Jane Kent, (b. 1882), aged 21, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Celtic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th April 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 10
Mr. William Nicholas Kent, (b. 1880), aged 23, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 18th July 1903 en route to Congress, Arizona, USA 10
Mr. James Kent, (b. 1846), aged 57, Cornish miner, from St Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Canadian" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 14th April 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 10
Mr. Joseph Kent, Cornish settler, from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th June 1903 en route to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kent migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kent Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

John Kent, who settled in Brigus, Newfoundland in 1676 11

Kent Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Joseph Kent, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Mrs. Kent Rachel U.E., "Rachael", (née) Bloomfield born in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA from Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1784 she was married to David Kent having 5 children, she died in 1810 12
Mr. Kent Stephen U.E. (b. 1748) who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1828 12
James Kent, who arrived in Newfoundland in 1794 11

Kent Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

George Kent, who was a planter of Small Point, Newfoundland in 1818 11
Michael Kent from county Wexford, who was on record in St. John's, Newfoundland 11
John Kent, who landed in Canada in 1830
Patrick Kent, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1836
Mr. John Kent, aged 15 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Triton" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kent migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kent Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Thomas Kent, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. William Kent, English convict who was convicted in Berkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Thomas Kent(b. 1803), aged 17, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 7th August 1820, sentenced for life for stealing a desk, bank notes, and cash from J.B. Willyams and H. Willyams, transported aboard the ship "Prince of Orange" in October 1820 to Australia 16
Charles Kent, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on July 3, 1822, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 17
Richard Kent, English convict from Warwick, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kent migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kent Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Kent, aged 28, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
Mary Kent, aged 23, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
William Kent, aged 4, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
John Kent, aged 3, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
Eliza Kent, aged 5 mths., who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kent migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Kent Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Joe Kent, who settled in St. Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635
Jo Kent, aged 23, who landed in St Christopher in 1635 9
Mr. John Kent, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20
Edward Kent, who arrived in Barbados in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Kent (post 1700) +

Luther Kent (1948-2024), American blues singer based in New Orleans, Louisiana
Tom Kent (d. 2024), American radio personality and head of the Tom Kent Radio Network (TKRN)
Jamal James Kent (1979-2024), American chef
Gary Kent (1933-2023), American film director, actor, and stuntperson
Norman Elliott Kent (1949-2023), American criminal defense attorney, publisher, and radio talk show host, founder and publisher of The Express in 1999
Herb Kent (1928-2016), American radio host, inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame
Donald Theodore "Don" Kent (1944-2015), American collector of blues and bluegrass recordings
Jack Kent (1920-1985), American illustrator
Don E. Kent (1917-2010), American meteorologist
Don Kent, American music producer
... (Another 22 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Kent family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. John Kent (1873-1914), Canadian First Class Passenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 21

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Lloyd Shackleton Kent (1919-1941), Australian Signalman from East Malvern, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 22

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Leonard David Kent, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 23
Mr. John Arthur Kent, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23

HMS Repulse

Mr. Alfred Kent, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 24
Mr. Raymond George Kent, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 24

HMS Royal Oak

Herbert Alexander John Kent (1900-1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 25

RMS Lusitania

Mr. John George Kent, English Lounge Steward from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 26

RMS Titanic

Mr. Edward Austin Kent (d. 1912), aged 58, American First Class passenger from Buffalo, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 27

USS Arizona

Mr. Texas Thomas Kent Jr., American Seaman Second Class from Arkansas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 28

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 38)
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 155 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1822
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html