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![Show Contents]() Shaftoe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Shaftoe is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Shaftoe family lived in Northumberland, at Shafto Crag, from whence their name is derived. Early Origins of the Shaftoe familyThe surname Shaftoe 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 Early History of the Shaftoe familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shaftoe research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1110 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Shaftoe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Shaftoe Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Shaftoe were recorded, including Shafto, Shaftan, Shaftoe, Shaftowe, Shaftow and others. Early Notables of the Shaftoe familyMore information is included under the topic Early Shaftoe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Shaftoe migration to the United States | + |
The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Shaftoe arrived in North America very early:
Shaftoe Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- John Shaftoe, who settled in Virginia in 1716
- John Shaftoe, who landed in Maryland in 1716 2
- Edward Shaftoe, who settled in Virginia in 1730
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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Shaftoe migration to the United States 
