Show ContentsStirk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Stirk name is said to be derived from an old Anglo Saxon name "Styrgar" which appeared in Mercia in ancient times. "Styrgar" denoted a battle spear.

Early Origins of the Stirk family

The surname Stirk was first found in Northhamptonshire where they held a family seat. This Anglo Saxon family name appears to have been undisturbed by the Norman invasion of 1066 A.D., retaining their estates in Northamptonshire. Clipston. Their seat, was not granted to one of the Norman nobles after the victory at Hastings, and remained the 'King's Land' according to the Domesday Book, [1] a survey taken by Duke William of Normandy in 1086 A.D.

Early History of the Stirk family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stirk research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1634 is included under the topic Early Stirk History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stirk Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sturgis, Sturges, Sturgiss, Sturgess, Sturge, Sturch, Sturk and many more.

Early Notables of the Stirk family

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


United States Stirk migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Stirk Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • George Stirk, who arrived in New England in 1646 [2]

Canada Stirk migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Stirk Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Stirk, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749

Contemporary Notables of the name Stirk (post 1700) +

  • Samuel Stirk, American politician, Delegate to Continental Congress from Georgia, 1781; Georgia State Attorney General, 1781-85; County Judge in Georgia, 1786-89 [3]
  • John Stirk (b. 1955), English former footballer from Consett, England, active 1973 through 1983
  • Sarah Stirk, British television presenter for Sky News


The Stirk 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: Esse quam videri
Motto Translation: To be, rather than to seem.


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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