This surname is of Northern French locational origin, deriving perhaps from St. Quentin-en-Tourmont (Somme) or from St. Quentin (La Manche). These places were named in honour of St. Quentin of Amiens a 3rd Century missionary to the Gauls who was martyred at St. Quentin-en-Tourmont (Somme). The personal name Quintin derives from a Latin word with the significance of "fifth-born". The surname was initially introduced by the Normans in the latter part of the 11th Century and appears on record at that time, (see below). The name, with variant spellings Seint Queintain and St. Quintin, is particularly well recorded in London Church Registers from the mid 17th Century which indicates that it was re-introduced by French Huguenot refugees fleeing from persecution. One, Jean, son of Anthonie (de) St. Quintin, was christned at the Huguenot Church Threadneedle Street, London on September 18th 1631. One Susanne St. Quentin, daughter of Leon, was christened at the same Church on February 26th 1682. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugo de Sancto Quintino, which was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book, Hampshire, during the reign of King William 1, known as "William the Conqueror", 1066 - 1087. 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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