The name Shaften was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Shaften family lived in Northumberland, at Shafto Crag, from whence their name is derived.
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Early Origins of the Shaften family
The surname Shaften 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 Shaften family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shaften research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1110 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Shaften History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Shaften Spelling Variations
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Shaften have been found, including Shafto, Shaftan, Shaftoe, Shaftowe, Shaftow and others.
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Early Notables of the Shaften family
More information is included under the topic Early Shaften Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Shaften family
For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Shaften were among those contributors: John Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1716; Edward Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1730.
England
