This unusual and interesting surname of English origin is a topographical name either for a dweller by a pool, deriving from the Norwegian "dove" meaning "pool" plus the suffix "er", "dweller by", or, a dweller by the pasture, deriving from the Old English pre 7th Century "denn" meaning "pasture", plus the suffix "er". The surname dates back to the late 16th Century, (see below). Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Danter, Daynter, Dainter, etc. Church records include one Katheren Daynter who married James Cooke on December 3rd 1603, at St. Giles, Cripplegate, and Susan, daughter of Paul Daynter, was christened on June 29th 1606, also at St Giles, Cripplegate, London. Elizabeth, daughter of Fauncis and Hester Daunter, was christened on May 25th 1663, at St. Dunstan's, Stepney, and Ann, daughter of Samuel Danter, was christened in Mottistone, Hampshire, on May 5th 1714. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Danter, witnessed the christening of his son John, which was dated 1598, in St. Giles, Cripplegate, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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