Stapilton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Stapilton is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the village of Stapleton which could be found in the counties of Cumberland, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Somerset and Yorkshire. The surname Stapilton is a habitation name that was originally derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The surname originated as a means of identifying individuals from a particular area. In the Middle Ages people often assumed the name of the place that they originally lived as their surname during the course of travel. In this case the surname Stapilton was originally derived from the Old English terms which denoted a farm with a prominent pillar. 1

Early Origins of the Stapilton family

The surname Stapilton was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, where tradition states that Octa, brother of Hengis, the Saxon invader, in the year 450, came north to defend his territory against the Picts, and established a fort on the banks of the Tees calling it Stapleton. In 1052, Heryon, was Lord of the manor of Stapleton upon Tees.

We draw the reader's attention to Saddleworth cum Quick in Yorkshire. "At the time of the Conquest, Saddleworth was constituted a manor; and in the year 1200, William de Stapleton, to whom it then belonged, founded a chapel here for his tenants, which he made subordinate to the church of St. Chad, Rochdale. From the Stapletons the portion of the manor called Friermere or Friar-Mere, which is in extent one-half of the chapelry." 2

Walter de Stapeldon (1261-1326), was Bishop of Exeter, and virtual founder of Exeter College, Oxford, a younger son of William and Mabilla de Stapeldon, was born at Annery in the parish of Monkleigh, Devonshire. 3

"The most notable of the ecclesiastical lords of Ashburton, [Devon] in his connection with that town, was Bishop Stapledon, who held the See of Exeter from 1308 to 1327. He was partial to the little burgh on the verge of the Dartmoor highlands, and frequently resided in its manor-house. Two years after his accession he procured the grant of a market and fair ; and four years later still founded the Guild or Fraternity of St. Lawrence, giving it a chapel which he had erected within the precincts of his court. The present edifice, therefore, very closely marks the site of the episcopal palace. " 4

Brian de Stapleton (1321?-1394), of Wighill, knight, was the second son of Sir Gilbert de Stapleton, and younger brother of Miles de Stapleton (d. 1364.)

"The manor of Carwythenack in the [parish of Constantine, Cornwall] belonged so early as the reign of Edward II. to the family of Stapleton." 5

Sir Miles Stapleton, of Bedale, Yorkshire was Lord of Ingham, Norfolk by marriage in 1360 to Joanna, daughter and sole heiress of Sir Oliver de Ingham.

Early History of the Stapilton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stapilton research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1268, 1320, 1322, 1364, 1394, 1535, 1598, 1617, 1648, 1657, 1660, 1669, 1679, 1681, 1683, 1690, 1695, 1698, 1705, 1708, 1727 and 1733 are included under the topic Early Stapilton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stapilton Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Stapilton has been spelled many different ways, including Stapylton, Stapleton, Stapulton, Stapilton, Stapledon and many more.

Early Notables of the Stapilton family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Miles Stapleton of Bedale KG (1320?-1364), an English knight, one of the Knights Founder of the Order of the Garter who served in the Wars of Gascogne in 1268; Sir Bryan Stapleton KG (c.1322-1394), an English medieval knight from Yorkshire; Thomas Stapleton (1535-1598), an English Catholic controversialist from Sussex; Sir Henry Stapylton, 1st Baronet (c.1617-1679), an English politician who sat in...
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stapilton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stapilton family to Ireland

Some of the Stapilton 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 Stapilton family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Stapiltons to arrive in North America: Pierce Stapleton who settled in St. Christopher in 1635; Phillip Stapleton arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1763; John and Mary Stapleton arrived in Boston in 1850 with their two children.

The Stapilton 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: Fide sed cui vide
Motto Translation: Trust, but in whom take care.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print