Stoffer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Anglo-Saxon name Stoffer comes from Christopher, an ancient and popular personal name which has been popular for many years as literally, the name means 'Bearer of Christ'.

"I have been told that all who bear the somewhat rare name of Christopherson hail from Furness, in North Lancashire. Anyway it is a native, and owes its origin to the treacherous sands of Morecombe and Duddon. The legend of St. Christopher is that he found an occupation in guiding passengers across a wide stream. One night he bare unawares the child Christ, and was about to sink under an ever-increasing weight, when the Saviour said, 'Thou bearest Him who beareth the sins of the world.' No doubt there would be a shrine to the Saint for belated travellers on Chapel Isle, opposite Conishead Priory. Many a babe would be dedicated to him in gratitude for some hairbreadth escape his father had experienced. " 1

Early Origins of the Stoffer family

The surname Stoffer was first found in North Lancashire at Furness (now known as Dalton-In-Furness. "The town derived its principal importance from the erection of the magnificent Abbey of Furness, founded in 1127, by Stephen, afterwards king of England, for monks of the Cistercian order, whom he removed from Tulketh, in Amounderness, to this valley, where, obtaining valuable grants, they continued for more than four centuries. " 2

Early History of the Stoffer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stoffer research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1225, 1245, 1295, 1558, 1613 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Stoffer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stoffer Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Stoffer were recorded, including Christopher, Cristopher and others.

Early Notables of the Stoffer family

Distinguished members of the family include John Christopherson (d. 1558), Bishop of Chichester, "a native of Ulverstone in Lancashire, and was educated in the university of Cambridge, first at Pembroke...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stoffer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stoffer family to Ireland

Some of the Stoffer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stoffer migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Stoffer family emigrate to North America:

Stoffer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andries Stoffer, who landed in New York in 1709 3

Stoffer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Peter Stoffer, who arrived in Missouri in 1845 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Stoffer (post 1700) +

Joel Stoffer, American actor known for playing Taylor in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Julie A. Stoffer (b. 1979), American reality show personality, best known as a cast member on MTV's reality television series The Real World: New Orleans
Ferry Stoffer (b. 1985), Dutch Grand Prix motorcycle racer
Peter Arend Stoffer (b. 1956), Canadian politician, Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs (2011-2015)

Historic Events for the Stoffer family +

USS Arizona

Mr. Bernald H. Stoffer, American Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 4

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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)
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html