There are two possible origins for this interesting name. The first and most usual as a derivative spelling of the Olde French 'Seintuarie', which translates as 'one who lived by a shrine', or a nickname for one who lived by or took refuge, i.e. sanctuary, at a monastery. The second possiblilty is Irish, the name being found in the County Cork area, as an anglicization of 'de Seantruibh' (santry). The word 'Sentry' meaning a guard or soldier did not appear in use until the 17th Century too late to be a surname source. William Santry married Mary Coffee at St. Martins in the Field on January 8th 1837 in the reign of William IV (1830 - 1837). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Brian Sentry, which was dated 1689, witness at St. Dunstans Church, Stepney, London, during the reign of King William III of Orange and England, 1650 - 1702. 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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