Skip Ancestry main menu Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Learn
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Help
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • Start a New Tree
      • Person Preview
      • Membership
      • Family Trees Support
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Directories & Member Lists
      • Public Member Trees
      • Member Search
      • Card Catalog
      Loading
      • AncestryPreserve
      • StoryScout
      • Stories of US
      Loading
      • Buy a DNA Kit
      • Register a Kit
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA Support
      Loading
      • Ancestry Daily
      • Ancestry Blog
      • Virtual Events
      • What's New
      • Name Meaning
      • Family History Learning Hub
      • DNA Learning Hub
      • DNA Traits Learning Hub
      • Historical Insights
      Loading
      • Support Center
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Center
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Center
      • About Us
      • Ancestry Blog
      • Gift Memberships
      • Site Map
      • Swag Shop
      • Careers
      • © 1997-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Corporate Information
      • Patent
      • Accessibility
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Canon

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Clergyman

      Variations

      Anona, Anong, Canan
      The name Canon originates from the English language and holds the meaning of Clergyman. Historically, this name has been associated with individuals of religious significance and authority. In ancient times, canons were members of the clergy who belonged to a chapter or a cathedral, undertaking duties related to the administration of their respective dioceses. Derived from the Latin word canonicus, meaning concerning the church rules, canons were responsible for enforcing discipline and guiding others in matters of religious practice.

      Throughout history, the name Canon has remained closely linked to the clergy and those dedicated to religious pursuits. In medieval Europe, canons played a crucial role in shaping the development of the Christian church and maintaining its doctrines. Their knowledge and understanding of theology made them influential figures in matters of faith and education. Today, while the usage of the name Canon as a personal name has become less common, it continues to carry the weight of a long-standing religious heritage. The name endures in certain regions as a testament to the important role canons have played and continue to play in history.

      Based on our records...

      Smith

      This is the most common surname associated with Canon.

      Arthurine

      This is the most common name of those married to a Canon.

      Arthur

      This is the most common name for a child of a Canon.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1814 is when there were the most people born with the first name Canon.

      Explore the origins of another name.