When the ancestors of the Shaftent family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Northumberland, at Shafto Crag, from whence their name is derived.
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Early Origins of the Shaftent family
The surname Shaftent 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 Shaftent family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shaftent research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1110 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Shaftent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Shaftent Spelling Variations
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Shaftent has been recorded under many different variations, including Shafto, Shaftan, Shaftoe, Shaftowe, Shaftow and others.
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Early Notables of the Shaftent family
More information is included under the topic Early Shaftent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Shaftent family
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Shaftents were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: John Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1716; Edward Shaftoe settled in Virginia in 1730.
England
