Staples History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


Staples is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Staples family when they migrated to the region after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Staples family lived in Kent having derived from the Old French word estaple, meaning market-place, and indicates a person who lived near such a place. Another source claims that the name literally meant "dweller by a post or posts," from the Old English word stapol, meaning "post" or "pillar." 1

Early Origins of the Staples family

The surname Staples was first found in Kent at Staple-next-Wingham, a parish, in the union of Eastry, hundred of Downhamford, lathe of St. Augustine. This place name dates back to 1205 when it was first listed as Staples. 2 The first record of the name was Robert de Stapel who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 3

The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire listed Walter de Stapel in 1275, and Osmund atte Staple was listed in Place Names of Surrey in 1279. Richard de Staples and John Stapel were both listed in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1321. 1

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Robertus Staple, mercer; and Willwelmus Staple. 3

Staple-Fitzpaine is a parish, in the union of Taunton, hundred of Abdick and Bulstone, W. division of Somerset. The Fitzpaine family added the suffix in the 14th century so it is unlikely that the Staples family originated there. 4 However, this latter place name does date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Staple. 5

Early History of the Staples family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Staples research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1200, 1490, 1530, 1534, 1560, 1653, 1672, 1673, 1684, 1693, 1714, 1730 and 1741 are included under the topic Early Staples History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Staples Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Staples have been found, including Staple, Staples, Stapel, Stapels, Stapell, Stapelle, Stapells and many more.

Early Notables of the Staples family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Staples Ranking

In the United States, the name Staples is the 1,782nd most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Staples family to Ireland

Some of the Staples family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Staples migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Staples were among those contributors:

Staples Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Staples Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Staples Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Staples migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Staples Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Staples Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Staples migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Staples Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Staples migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Staples Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Staples migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 14
Staples Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Staples (post 1700) +


The Staples 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: Sans dieu rien
Motto Translation: Without God nothing.
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