Surname Quentin - Meaning and Origin
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Quentin: What does the surname Quentin mean?
The surname Quentin is derived from the Latin given name Quintinus, a derivative of Quintus, meaning ‘fifth’. It is thought to have been first used by 5th century Frankish Christians in honour of Saint Quentin, or of a 5th son in a family.
The name Quentin is primarily believed to be of French origin, but has also been recorded in other countries dating back to the 14th century. In England it is found primarily in the counties of Warwickshire and Oxfordshire.
In the United States, the name can be traced back to New York as early as 1624, when a man named Quentin Blauvelt was recorded in the Dutch Reformed Church Records of New Amsterdam. Other early American Quentins include Jean Baptiste Quentin, who was a settler of Canada in 1696, and Major Robert Quentin, one of the founders of the Colony of Virginia in 1619.
Though over the centuries the name has seen numerous variations in spelling (Quentyn, Quinton, Quentine, etc.), its meaning and origin have remained unchanged.
Quentin has a strong European heritage with ancient Christian roots, making it a powerful name for any person of any race. The family name Quentin holds a distinct history, dating back centuries and carrying with it a rich culture and legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisQuentin: Where does the name Quentin come from?
The last name Quentin is most commonly found in France, where it has been used since medieval times and is derived from several French given names. It is also found in countries with French heritage such as Canada, Belgium, United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. It is particularly prevalent in Quebec and Louisiana.
In France, the surname is most often found in the region of Picardy, located in northern France and bordering Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. It is also common along the western coast from Brittany to Bordeaux. There is also a small concentration of the last name in the southeastern region of the country.
Outside of France, the name has migrated to Germany, England, and Spain. In the United States, there are more than 35,000 people with the last name Quentin, making it the 80th most common surname. The largest concentration of Quentins live in Louisiana, followed by California, New York, and Florida. The highest concentration is in the state of Illinois, which is home to more than 5,000 people with the last name.
In addition to its French roots, the last name Quentin may also have Germanic and Latin origins. It is also speculated that it may have been derived from the Latin "quintana", meaning fifth.
Overall, the last name Quentin is commonly found in France and countries with strong French influences, as well as in Germany, England, Spain, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Quentin
Quentin is an ancient French surname derived from the Latin name Quintinus. Its variants, spellings, and alternate surnames include Quent, Quenten, Quenton, Quentyn, Quint, Quinten, Quinton, Quintyn, Quintin, and Quentine.
The earliest record of the surname Quentin dates back to the 11th century, where it appears in the form of Quenouillèl de Sancto Quintino, a nobleman of Lorraine, France. The most common translations for the surname Quentin are "the fifth," "fifth-born," and "the good fifth," a reference to the Latin phrase "Quintus," which means fifth.
Variant spellings include Quin, Qwentin, Quintine, Quinctin, Quent, Quente, Quenti, Quentil, and Quetin. Alternate surnames include Quennin, Quinz, Quinzio, Quen, Quenzi, Quenzel, and Quirino.
Several spelling variations of the surname Quentin can be found in modern uses. For instance, Quent, Quenton and Quinten are fairly common variants found in the United States and Canada. Quin and Quen are far less common variants but still found occasionally, especially in certain parts of Europe. In some European countries, such as Italy, the surname Quentin is also used as an alternate spelling of Quirino.
The surname Quentin is most frequently found in English and French speaking countries, especially in France, England, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. However, the surname has also spread to other parts of the world, particularly Australia, New Zealand, India, and Brazil.
Famous people with the name Quentin
- Quentin Tarantino: Film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor who achieved recognition after the release of his landmark film Pulp Fiction in 1994.
- Quentin Compson: Fictional character in William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury.
- Quentin Crisp: English actor, writer and raconteur.
- Quentin Durward: Fictional title character of the novel by Sir Walter Scott.
- Quentin L Cook: American religious leader and former member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Quentin Groves: American football player.
- Quentin Blake: English cartoonist, illustrator and children's writer.
- Quentin Matsys: Flemish painter in the Flemish tradition of Rogier van der Weyden.
- Quentin Jones: Australian surfer and reality TV star.
- Quentin Peel: British journalist and correspondent for the Financial Times.