Show ContentsStetmen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Stetmen family

The surname Stetmen 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 Stetmen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stetmen 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 Stetmen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stetmen 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. Stetmen has been spelled many different ways, including Stedman, Steadman and others.

Early Notables of the Stetmen 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 Stetmen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stetmen 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 Stetmens to arrive in North America: 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 Stetmen 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.


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