Stansferd History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe present generation of the Stansferd family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the village of Stanford that was found in at least ten parishes in England. Early Origins of the Stansferd familyThe surname Stansferd was first found in Staffordshire but was found in various counties including: Stanford, Kent; Stanford Bishop, Herefordshire; Stanford Dingley, Berkshire; Stanford in the Vale; and Stanford le Hope in Essex. The name literally means "stone ford" or "stony ford" 1 and was listed in the Domesday Book in numerous places too. The Stainforth variant called Darnall in Yorkshire their ancient family seat. "The Hall [of Darnall], built by the Staniforths, was the residence of that family for several generations, and afterwards a seat of the late Duke of Norfolk's." 2 Early History of the Stansferd familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stansferd research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1175 and 1461 are included under the topic Early Stansferd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Stansferd Spelling VariationsUntil 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 Stansferd include Stamford, Stanford, Staniford, Staniforth, Stainforth, Stannford, Stanforth and many more. Early Notables of the Stansferd familyMore information is included under the topic Early Stansferd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Stansferd family to IrelandSome of the Stansferd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Stansferd familyThousands 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 Stansferd were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: John Stamford who settled in Virginia in 1624; Francis Stanford, his wife Grace, and six children arrived in Philadelphia in 1683; Robert Stanford and his wife Mary and son Robert arrived in Barbados in 1678.
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