This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Kent'; compare Derbyshire, Cornish, Cheshire, &c, and v. Kentish. The Kentish people seem to have possessed strong migratory tendencies, de Kent being a common entry in early registers. Hence the numbers in modern directories.

Robert de Kent, Norfolk, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Gilbert de Kent, Lincolnshire, ibid.

Richard de Kent, Herefordshire, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

Benedict de Kent, Bedfordshire, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Johannes de Kent, Smyth, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes Kent et Ibbota uxor ejus, 1379: ibid.

Thomas de Kent, 1379: ibid.

1607. John Kent, Wiltshire: Register of the University of Oxford.

1623. Richard Kent and Awdrie Twyneowe: Marriage Lic. (London).

A family of this name, evidently English vassals of the Stewards, were settled at Innerwick in East Lothian, in the middle of the twelfth century. Radulfus de Kent received some lands in Ennyrwic from Walter the Steward c. 1165 (RMP., p. 5), and before 1177 he witnessed the gift of the church of Cragin (Craigie) in Kyle to the monks of Paisley (ibid., p. 232). Robert de Kent gave a territory in Innertiic to the monks of Melrose in the reign of William the Lion (Melros, p. 59), and a grant to the Abbey of Kelso c. 1190 (Kelso, p. 213). Thomas de Kent witnessed a charter by Alan Ronald's son, c. 1200—33 (Melros, p. 227), and as Thomas de Cantia (the Latin form of his name) witnessed a charter by John, son of Michael de Methkil, to Melrose, c. 1230 (Wemyss, II, p. xlvi). Robert de Kent of the county of Lanark rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 204), William de Kent was admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1408 (NSCM., I, p. 3), another William Kent had a lease of the auchtene part of Maistertoun in Fife, c. 1570 (RD., p. 487), and Robert Kent was a burgess of Burntisland in 1612 (Laing, 1639).

(prob. Celtic) belonging to Kent, the Middle English Kent, Anglo-Saxon Cent, Cant-, Latin Cantium, Greek Kantion [The name has been much discussed: Rhys thinks that it is the Welsh cant, a rim, edge, margin; Stokes connected it with Old Welsh *cant, white, bright]

Ceannt Families of this name settled in Meath in the thirteenth century. IF 296

(English) One who came from the county of Kent (open country), in the southeast corner of England.

Local. From the County Kent, in England. Camden derives this from canton, a corner, because England in this place stretches itself into a comer to the north—east. Cant, in Welsh, signifies, round, circular, which is probably the true signification.

The county.

Richard Kent was bailiff of Lymington in 1508. The Kents were a well - known Romsey family 200 years ago, of which town they were considerable benefactors; the name was also established in Winchester last century, and in the early part of the same century a customary tenant of Cranbury bore the name (W.).

Brice was a Kent name in the reign of Edward I. (H. R.). The name is at present best represented around Canterbury. In 1677 a Mr. Brice presented a small amount of land to the corporation of Dover for the relief of the plague - affected; and early last century John Brice purchased property in Eleham (H.).