| ![Show Contents]() Sthill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Cornwall in southwestern England provides the original birthplace of the surname Sthill. As populations grew, people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. This was due to the heavy political and cultural influence of the English upon the Cornish People at the time that surnames first came into use. Local surnames were derived from where a person lived, held land, or was born. While many Cornish surnames of this sort appear to be topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees, many are actually habitation surnames derived from lost or unrecorded place names. The name Sthill history began in Devon. While the Sthill name would seem to be derived from the name of a saint, some scholars suggest that it is actually a corruption of the place-name Sweynthull. Early Origins of the Sthill familyThe surname Sthill was first found in Devon where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Sweynthull. Unlike many "St." names which usually originated from Normandy this surname is a corruption of an ancient place name and the family name is derived. One of the earliest records of the family is that of Sir Walter de Sweynthill (died c. 1340), an English knight and politician who represented the City of Exeter (1327) and Devonshire in Parliament and served as Sheriff of Exeter from 1330 to 1332. Little records are found about him, but we do know that he is recorded as the highest tax payer in the parish of Awliscombe at that time. Early History of the Sthill familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sthill research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1547, 1554, 1571, 1593, 1645, 1648, 1698, 1749, 1750 and 1775 are included under the topic Early Sthill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Sthill Spelling VariationsCornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled StHill, Sainthill and others. Early Notables of the Sthill familyNotable amongst the family at this time was Peter Nicolas Sainthill (c. 1524-1571) was an English politician, Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Grampound in 1547 and for Saltash in April 1554. He held Bradninch Manor House in Devon. His grandson, Captain Peter Sainthill (1593-1648) of Bradninch in Devon, was twice elected a Member of Parliament for Tiverton in...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sthill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Sthill family to Ireland
Some of the Sthill 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.
| Sthill migration to New Zealand | + |
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Sthill Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Ashton St. Hill, aged 15, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
- Mr. St. Hill, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Bolton" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 30th April 1840 1
- Henry St. Hill, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship "Adelaide" 2
- Harry Woodford St. Hill, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
- Mr. W. St Hill, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Northfleet" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand, Via Wellington and Lyttleton in February 1854 1
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
|
Sthill migration to New Zealand 
England
Ireland
