Shaftend is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Shaftend family lived in Northumberland, at Shafto Crag, from whence their name is derived.
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Early Origins of the Shaftend family
The surname Shaftend 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 Shaftend family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shaftend research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1110 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Shaftend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Shaftend Spelling Variations
Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Shaftend include Shafto, Shaftan, Shaftoe, Shaftowe, Shaftow and others.
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Early Notables of the Shaftend family
More information is included under the topic Early Shaftend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Shaftend family
In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Shaftends to arrive on North American shores: John Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1716; Edward Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1730.
England
