Show ContentsStewnes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Stewnes is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Stewnes was a name used for a stern person. The surname Stewnes is derived from the Old English word styrne, which means severe, strict, uncompromising, and austere.

Early Origins of the Stewnes family

The surname Stewnes was first found in Buckinghamshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Grendon from early times.

Early History of the Stewnes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stewnes research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1596, 1607, 1624, 1642, 1660, 1664, 1669, 1683, 1700, 1713, 1745, 1759 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Stewnes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stewnes 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 Stewnes include Sterne, Stern, Stearn, Stearns and others.

Early Notables of the Stewnes family

Notables of the family at this time include John Sterne, Bishop of Colchester in 1592 and held the post until his death in 1607; and Richard Sterne (c. 1596-1683), English Church of England priest, Bishop of Carlisle in 1660, Archbishop of York from 1664 to 1683. He was the alleged author of the 'Whole Duty of Man.' 1 "On the outbreak of the civil war, Sterne zealously adopted the royalist cause, and in August 1642 he arranged for the despatch of large quantities of college plate to the king. Cromwell, however, who, as one of the burgesses of Cambridge, was engaged...
Another 146 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stewnes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Stewnes family to Ireland

Some of the Stewnes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 173 words (12 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 Stewnes 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 Stewnes were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Abigail and Mary Stearns settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; Isaac Stearns, his wife Mary, his son and four daughters settled in Massachusetts in 1630.



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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