
Text Size
Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Stoke, Stokes, Stoaks, Stocks and others.
First found in Pembrokeshire where they held a family seat from early times.
Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Stokes name or one of its variants: Christopher Stokes who settled in Virginia in 1624; Grace, and Eleanor Stokes settled in Boston in 1635; George Stokes settled in Barbados in 1634; Lance and Robert Stokes settled in Virginia in 1637..
Motto Translated: Innocent fortune.
For more information on the last name Stokes, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.
Suggested Readings for the name Stokes
- The Mills, Stokes, and Forrester Families of Primarily Greenville Co, S.C. by Lorene Burton Ambrose.
- The Stokes Family of Pitt County, N.C. by Taney Brazeal.
- The Andrews, Clapp, Stokes, Wright, Van Cleve Genealogies by Alfred S. Andrews.
- Elizabeth Dilling Stokes (1894-1966), was a well-known American anti-communist and anti-war activist and writer in the 1930s and 1940s, which led to charges of "anti-Semitism" and "sedition" in the Great Sedition Trial of 1944
- Shelly Stokes, American softball player
- Donald Gresham Stokes (1914-2008), Baron Stokes, an English industrialist, former chairman of Leyland Motors Ltd
- Sir George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903), British physicist and mathematician
- Sir Frederick Wilfrid Scott Stokes (1860-1927), British inventor and engineer
- Carl Burton Stokes (b. 1927), U.S. politician: the first black mayor of a major U.S. city (Cleveland, Ohio)
- Private James Stokes (1915-1945), British soldier awarded the Victoria Cross during WWII
Tell Me More About Family Crests
Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist
We have researched the Stokes family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.
Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...
More
Family Crests: Timeline
Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...
More
Family Crests: Elements
More
Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate
More
Stokes Family Crest Products
Anniversary products for the name Stokes. Apparel emphasing the Stokes family crest. Armorial histories for the name Stokes. Ceramics featuring the Stokes family crest. Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces. Coat of Arms for the name Stokes. Downloads revealing the Stokes family crest. Family Crest for the name Stokes. Family Tree proudly displaying the Stokes family crest. Hand Painted Plaques revealing the family crest for the surname Stokes. Keychains with the family crest for the name Stokes. Mouse pads for the Stokes family crest. New Products revealing the Stokes family crest. Packages proudly displaying the Stokes family crest. Plaques and Frames featuring the family crest for the surname Stokes. Surname Histories for the name Stokes. Symbolism emphasing the Stokes family crest. Travel Mugs with a Stokes family crest. |
The Stokes Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Stokes Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.
Tools
Downloads
Under $25
$25-$50
Over $50
Top 7 Gifts
- Coat of Arms / Family Crest Coffee Mug
- Coffee mugs (set of four)
- Pair of Coffee Mugs & Pair of Keychains
- Beer Stein
- Pair of Beer Steins
- Large Ceramic Tile with Clan Badge
- Set of Four Large Tiles with Clan Badge
- Large Ceramic Tile with Coat of Arms
- Set of Four Large Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Small Ceramic Tile with Coat of Arms
- Set of Four Small Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Armorial, Symbolism & Large Ceramic Tile
- Coat of Arms with Frame
- Coat of Arms Print
- Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
- Armorial History Landscape Style
- Armorial History & Symbolism package
- Deluxe Coat of Arms Symbolism
- Record Your Own Family Tree
- Mouse Pad & Keychain Combo Package
- Pair of Coffee Mugs & Pair of Keychains
- Armorial, Symbolism & Large Ceramic Tile
- Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms
- Clan Badge Print
- Coat of Arms Symbolism
- Wooden Jewelry Box
- Wine and Cheese Board
- Water Bottle
- Shot Glass
- Set of four Shot Glasses
- Tote Bag
- PDF Armorial History (Letter Size)
- PDF-Deluxe Symbolism
- Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 150 DPI
- Family Crest Image (jpg) Legacy Series - 150 DPI
- Family Crest Image (JPG) Book Plated - 150 DPI
- Family Crest Image (jpg) Heirloom Series - 150 DPI
- PDF Anniversary Bond: Celtic Style
- PDF Anniversary Bond: Gothic Style
- Clan Badge Image (JPG)
- PDF Coat of Arms Symbolism (Letter Size)
- PDF Surname History (Letter Size)
- PDF Family Tree Template
- Coat of Arms with Frame
- Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
- Armorial History with Coat of Arms
- Armorial History Landscape Style
- Armorial History & Symbolism package
- Deluxe Coat of Arms Symbolism
- Record Your Own Family Tree
- Mouse Pad & Keychain Combo Package
- Pair of Coffee Mugs & Pair of Keychains
- Armorial, Symbolism & Large Ceramic Tile
- Armorial History with Frame
- Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms
- Clan Badge Print
- Coat of Arms Print
- Coat of Arms Symbolism
- Set of Four Large Tiles with Clan Badge
- Combo Package 1
- Combo Package 2
- Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
- Armorial History & Symbolism package
- Armorial, Symbolism & Large Ceramic Tile
- Armorial History & Keychain Package
- Pair of Keychains
- Set of 10 Keychains
- Mouse Pad & Keychain Combo Package
- Pair of Coffee Mugs & Pair of Keychains
- Pair of Beer Steins
- Pair of Travel Mugs
- Coffee mugs (set of four)
- Set of Four Large Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Set of Four Small Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Tote Bag and Water Bottle

















