The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Shaftane family name to the British Isles. They lived in Northumberland, at Shafto Crag, from whence their name is derived.
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Early Origins of the Shaftane family
The surname Shaftane was first found in Northumberland at either Shafto East or Shafto West. Both townships have remained rather small over the years with populations less than 50 people but both have considerable antiquity, being mentioned in records of the 13th century. In 1378, Matthew Bolton, vicar of Newcastle, and others, were feoffees for founding a chantry in the "chapel of Shafthowe." The Shaftos were traditional landowners of the area with the Aynsleys, and the Vaughans. 1
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Early History of the Shaftane family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shaftane research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1110 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Shaftane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Shaftane Spelling Variations
A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Shafto, Shaftan, Shaftoe, Shaftowe, Shaftow and others.
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Early Notables of the Shaftane family
More information is included under the topic Early Shaftane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Shaftane family
Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Shaftane or a variant listed above: John Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1716; Edward Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1730.
England
