Stanlay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Stanlay belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in the county of Cumberland in an area that was defined by the Old English word stanley which means astony clearing or stony field. Stanlay is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. During the Middle Ages, as society became more complex, individuals needed a way to be distinguishable from others. Toponymic surnames were developed as a result of this need. Various features in the landscape or area were used to distinguish people from one another. In this case the original bearers of the surname Stanlay were named due to their close proximity to the stanley.

Early Origins of the Stanlay family

The surname Stanlay was first found in Cambridgeshire at Stonely (Stoneley), a hamlet near Kimbolton and home to Stoneley Priory which was established in 1180 and dissolved in 1536.

By the time of the Conquest, there were several listings of the name in the Domesday Book 1 including: Stanlei in Derbyshire and West Yorkshire; Stanlee in Gloucestershire; and Stanlei (now Stoneleigh) in Warwickshire. The place name literally means "stony wood clearing." 2

"Descended from a younger branch of the Barons Audeley, of Audeley in Staffordshire, the name of Stanley, from the manor of that name in this county, in the reign of John, was assumed by William de Audleigh." 3

Another branch of the family was established in very early times in Hornby, Lancashire. "The castle was originally founded soon after the Norman Conquest, and was subsequently the residence of the Stanleys, lords Monteagle, to one of whom the mysterious letter was sent which led to the discovery of the Gunpowder plot." 4

Later "the Stanleys of Alderley, and the Stanleys of Hooton, [became] the sole owners of the township [of Great Meolse, Cheshire.]" 4

Early History of the Stanlay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stanlay research. Another 223 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1350, 1414, 1435, 1442, 1460, 1485, 1503, 1504, 1506, 1531, 1566, 1586, 1593, 1597, 1599, 1625, 1628, 1655, 1660, 1664, 1670, 1672, 1678, 1695, 1698, 1702, 1714 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Stanlay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stanlay Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Stanlay include Stanley, Standley, Stanleigh, Stoneley and others.

Early Notables of the Stanlay family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir John Stanley K.G. (c.1350-1414), Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and titular King of Mann; Sir Thomas Stanley (c.1435-1504), created 1st Earl of Derby in 1485; George Stanley, 9th Baron Strange, of Knockyn, KG, KB (1460-1503), an English nobleman and heir apparent of Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby; Sir John Stanley, illegitimate son of James Stanley, Bishop of Ely, in 1506; Sir Thomas Stanley (1597-1672), created 1st Baronet Stanley of Alderley Hall in 1660; Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby KG (1531-1593)...
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stanlay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stanlay family to Ireland

Some of the Stanlay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 62 words (4 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 Stanlay family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Stanlay were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Christopher Stanley and his wife Susanne, who settled in Boston Mass in 1635; George and Alice Stanley settled in Virginia in 1656; Joseph and his wife Elizabeth Stanley settled in Georgia in 1732.

The Stanlay Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sans changer
Motto Translation: Without changing.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.