Show ContentsStainton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Stainton surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in the village of Stainton found in the counties of Cumberland, Durham, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Westmorland, West Riding of Yorkshire and the North Riding of Yorkshire. 1

The Yorkshire and Lincolnshire parishes both appear in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Stanton and Staintone, respectively. 2

Early Origins of the Stainton family

The surname Stainton was first found in Yorkshire but was a frequent name in the north of England as it was derived from the Old English word "stan" which meant "farmstead on stony ground." 3

In Lincolnshire, a strong early presence of the family was found, beginning with Hugh de Staintone, who was a Knights Templar there in 1185. 4 And the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two early spellings for the name, both in Lincolnshire: Herbert de Staynton; and Robert de Staynton. 1

In Yorkshire, Margaret de Staynton was listed there in 1277 4 and the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls included: Thomas de Staynton; and Juliana de Staynton. 1

Early History of the Stainton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stainton research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1135, 1395 and 1804 are included under the topic Early Stainton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stainton Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Stainton include Stainton, Staneton and others.

Early Notables of the Stainton family

More information is included under the topic Early Stainton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Stainton migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Stainton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Adam Stainton who settled in Maryland in 1739
Stainton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert Stainton, aged 42, who arrived in New York in 1812 5
  • W G Stainton, who landed in Arkansas in 1888 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Stainton (post 1700) +

  • David Stainton, American film and television executive, President of Walt Disney Feature Animation from 2003 to 2006
  • Lisbee Stainton (b. 1988), English singer-songwriter
  • Robert George "Bob" Stainton (1910-2000), English cricketer for Sussex from 1932 to 1949
  • Ronald George Stainton (1909-1965), English professional footballer who played from 1927 to 1934
  • Christopher "Chris" Stainton (b. 1944), English session musician, known for his work with Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, The Who and many more
  • Henry Tibbats Stainton (1822-1892), English entomologist, author of Manual of British Butterflies and Moths (1857–59)
  • John Stainton, Australian motion picture film artist, close friends with Australian naturalist Steve Irwin, director of his television program, The Crocodile Hunter
  • Philip Stainton (1908-1961), British actor, known for his work in several Ealing comedies
  • Keith Monin Stainton (1921-2001), British Conservative politician and soldier, recipient of the Légion d'honneur, the Croix de Guerre avec Palme
  • Hugh Stainton Poyntz DSO OBE (1877-1955), English soldier and first-class cricket for Somerset between 1904 and 1921

RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. William Stainton, American 1st Class Passenger, Valet to Mr. Frohman from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 6


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  6. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/


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