Show ContentsStedghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Stedghan family

The surname Stedghan was first found in Gloucestershire where in pre 12th century records, the family is shown as branching to Dolgoer in Brecknockshire and into the county of Shropshire, they later branched to Strata Florida in Brecknock. John Stedeman was issued a Parliamentary Writ in 1306.

By the time of the Hundredorum Rolls in 1273, there were scattered listings of the family: Richard Stedeman, Cambridgeshire; and Gilbert de Stedman, Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Johannes Stedeman. 1

One source notes that there is much debate about the etymological origin of the name but generally, it is thought the name was Anglo-Saxon and derived from the words "stcade, a stead, station, or place," as in "a farm house and offices." "Steadman was therefore a farmer, or perhaps a farm-bailiff." 2

Early History of the Stedghan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stedghan research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1321, 1621, 1630, 1640, 1668, 1673, 1677, 1713 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Stedghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stedghan 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 Stedghan include Stedman, Steadman and others.

Early Notables of the Stedghan family

Notables of the family at this time include Fabian Stedman (1640-1713), English leading figure in campanology and bell-ringing, author of two books: Tintinnalogia (1668) and Campanalogia (1677) are the first two...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stedghan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stedghan 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 Stedghan were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: John Steadman who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1686; Ann and James Steadman settled in Maryland in 1742; Catherine Steadman settled in Virginia in 1741.



The Stedghan 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: Cuncta mea mecum
Motto Translation: My all is with me.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook