Surname Gantt - Meaning and Origin

A Journey of Self-Discovery: My Experience with the iGENEA DNA Test and the Gantt Surname

Discovering your roots can be a captivating journey. My experience with the iGENEA DNA test was fascinating, revealing a rich history attached to the Gantt surname and connecting me with distant relatives.

X. Gantt

Gantt: What does the surname Gantt mean?

The surname Gantt is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the personal name "Gann," which means "crafty" or "cunning" in Old English. The addition of the "t" at the end of Gantt signifies a diminutive form of Gann. So, someone with the last name Gantt would be known as "the little crafty or cunning one." The name is popular in the United States, particularly in the South, but also exists in other English-speaking countries such as England and Australia. Some famous individuals with this surname include Henry Gantt, who was a mechanical engineer and management consultant known for developing the Gantt chart, a type of bar chart illustrating a project schedule.

Gantt: Where does the name Gantt come from?

The surname Gantt is of English origin. It's derived from the medieval personal name Gant, which was introduced into England by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. The name Gant is of Old Germanic origin and is linked to the Germanic word "gant," meaning eloquent or glib, suggesting that the name-bearer might be a persuasive speaker.

The majority of people with the surname Gantt today live in the United States, particularly in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. However, there are also Gantt families found in England and a few other countries. The surname is not excessively prevalent or common in any particular region of the world. The highest relative presence of the surname Gantt online is reported in the United States.

It's notable to mention Henry Laurence Gantt, an American mechanical engineer and management consultant, widely known for developing the Gantt chart in the 1910s, a popular project management tool used worldwide. This association has also contributed to a wider geographical distribution of the name.

Variations of the surname Gantt

The surname Gantt is believed to have originated in England. Variations and alternative spellings of this surname can include Gant, Gantt, Gaunt, Gante, Gonte, Gantts, and Gauntt. These different spellings could have resulted from phonetic spelling by officials recording the name in documents, causing its change over time and with migration.

The name might be linked to the Old French word 'gant', meaning 'glove', suggesting that the first individual to bear this surname may have been a glove maker. Alternatively, Gantt might have originally referred to someone from the region of Ghent in Belgium (called 'Gaunt' in Middle English).

Surname variants can also arise from intermarriages, informal name changes, or as a result of migration causing localization of the surname's spellings.

In many cases, the family name Gantt, particularly in the USA, may have been anglicized from a different original surname by immigrants wishing to fully assimilate into American culture.

It should be noted that names could have evolved independently in different locations, resulting in different families with the Gantt surname who are not necessarily related.

Famous people with the name Gantt

• Henry Laurence Gantt: Pioneering American engineer and management consultant, whose Gantt chart was one of the most widely used tools for planning, scheduling, and controlling large projects.
• Timothy M Gantt: American writer, director, and actor living in Connecticut. He currently works as Creative Director of American country music artist Luke Bryan.
• Robert Lee Gantt: American bishop of the United Methodist Church, serving as Bishop since 2004.
• Brian Gantt: American voice actor who has voiced a number of characters in video games and animated productions.
• Irene Gantt: American civil rights activist and the first woman to serve on the North Carolina Public Service Commission.
• Walter Gantt: American Major League Baseball player, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967 and 1968.
• Charles Gantt: American Chicago painter and photographer, best known for his paintings of the Chicago skyline, done in the Impressionistic style.
• Bandy Gantt: American college baseball coach with numerous awards, and a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Tricia Gantt: American stage actress, best known for appearing in the Broadway production of The Book of Mormon.
• Nadine Gantt: Grammy Award-winning American singer who began her career singing gospel and R&B music.

Other surnames

GantGanterGantertGantherGantmanGantnerGantnierGantz