Stapleton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


The name Stapleton has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in the village of Stapleton which could be found in the counties of Cumberland, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Somerset and Yorkshire. The surname Stapleton 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 Stapleton was originally derived from the Old English terms which denoted a farm with a prominent pillar. 1

Early Origins of the Stapleton family

The surname Stapleton 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 Stapleton family

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

Stapleton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Stapleton have been found, including Stapylton, Stapleton, Stapulton, Stapilton, Stapledon and many more.

Early Notables of the Stapleton family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Stapleton Ranking

In the United States, the name Stapleton is the 1,644th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Stapleton is ranked the 651st most popular surname with an estimated 68 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Stapleton family to Ireland

Some of the Stapleton 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.


Stapleton migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Stapleton, or a variant listed above:

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

Stapleton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Stapleton migration to Australia +

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

Stapleton Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Stapleton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Stapleton 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:

Stapleton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Stapleton 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. 19
Stapleton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Stapleton (post 1700) +


The Stapleton 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.
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