Ster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the Ster surname date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a person whose personality or appearance called to mind a star. Ster is a nickname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Nicknames form a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, and can refer directly or indirectly to one's personality, physical attributes, mannerisms, or even their habits of dress. The surname Ster comes from the Old English words sterre, or starre, which mean star, and would have been given to someone with a bright personality. This word was also used to refer to a white patch of hair on the forehead of a horse, an so, it may have been transferred to refer to someone with a streak of white hair.

Early Origins of the Ster family

The surname Ster was first found in Wiltshire where they held a family seat from ancient times in the village of Longbridge Deverill at Glastonbury. It is said that King Alfred, King of the west Saxons, camped the night in the Deverill valley before defeating the Danes at the Battle of Ethandune in 878.

Early History of the Ster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ster research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1629, 1633, 1637 and 1672 are included under the topic Early Ster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ster Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Ster has been spelled many different ways, including Starr, Star, Starre, Ster, Sterr and others.

Early Notables of the Ster family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Peter Sterry (d. 1672), Cromwell's chaplain, born in Surrey, entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge, on 21 Oct...

Migration of the Ster family to Ireland

Some of the Ster family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ster family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Sters to arrive in North America: the Starr family who settled in Halifax N.S. where they became a powerful influence in the Canadian cultural and political scene. Comfort and Mary Starr settled in Massachusetts in 1634.

The Ster Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vive en espoir
Motto Translation: Live in hope