Stairne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Stairne family lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Stairne was a name given to a stern person. The surname Stairne is derived from the Old English word styrne, which means severe, strict, uncompromising, and austere.

Early Origins of the Stairne family

The surname Stairne was first found in Buckinghamshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Grendon from early times.

Early History of the Stairne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stairne research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1596, 1607, 1624, 1642, 1660, 1664, 1669, 1683, 1700, 1713, 1745, 1759 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Stairne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stairne Spelling Variations

Stairne has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Stairne have been found, including Sterne, Stern, Stearn, Stearns and others.

Early Notables of the Stairne family

Notables of the family at this time include John Sterne, Bishop of Colchester in 1592 and held the post until his death in 1607; and Richard Sterne (c. 1596-1683), English Church of England priest, Bishop of Carlisle in 1660, Archbishop of York from 1664 to 1683. He was the alleged author of the 'Whole Duty of Man.' 1 "On the outbreak of the civil war, Sterne zealously adopted the royalist cause, and in August 1642 he arranged for the despatch of large quantities of college plate to the king. Cromwell, however, who, as one of the burgesses of Cambridge, was engaged...
Another 146 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stairne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stairne family to Ireland

Some of the Stairne family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 173 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stairne family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Stairnes to arrive on North American shores: Abigail and Mary Stearns settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; Isaac Stearns, his wife Mary, his son and four daughters settled in Massachusetts in 1630.