Possible spellings of surname?

Question

My grandfathers surname was Santen. He said his father was from France. I was told by my mother that the name was changed in spelling years ago. What are the possibilities of spelling for this name?

Answer 1

If you can get the names of your grandfather and great-grandfather to us, we can search for the original spelling. Guessing at Anglicizations is like tossing a dull dart at a wall of balloons in a wind storm.

Answer 2

A quick google shows Santen, Van Santen, and Van Sennan--which sounds like the family may have been Dutch (or perhaps Belgian). Sometimes, however, family names come out really mangled. For example, a distant French Huguenot ancestor came to America as Jean (John) La Cage, which a generation later morphed into "Keesee" (pronounced Kay Zee). The surnames don't sound remotely the same.

Answer 3

Not sure, but I found this:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~jfuller/gen_mail_surnames-sai.html#SANTON

"119. SANTON. A mailing list for the discussion and sharing of information regarding the Santon surname and variations (e.g., Santin, Santen, Santun) in any place and at any time. To subscribe send "subscribe" to [e-mail] (mail mode) or [e-mail] (digest mode)."

Answer 4

Saint-Etienne?
Saintienne?
What about searching the Ellis Island records assuming you are in the US?
Also, his death certificate should show where he was born, if he died in the US, and a marriage certificate also, if he married in the US.
Ellis Island clerks are notorious for anglisizing foreign surnames. You can only hope to find some idea of whence he came, and then try French records.

Answer 5

Santein, Santeine, Santeaun, Santeune ????????

Answer 6

seintein?
saintein?
saintin?

Answer 7

SETAN