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Origins Available: |
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The Stonehan family claim descent from Aspal Stonham, Earl Stonham or Stonham Parva, all located in Suffolk. Each parish is located in the union and hundred of Bosmere and Claydon. 1 2
All date back to Saxon times when they collectively were known as Stonham c. 1040. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, they were known as Stanham. 3
Literally the place name means "homestead by a stone or with stony ground," from the Old English words "stan" + "ham." 4 Aspal Stonham is a manorial affix for the de Aspale family who have been there since the 13th century.
The surname Stonehan was first found in Suffolk where Robert de Stanham was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1177. Later in the same county, John de Stanham was listed in 1205 and later again, Roger Stonham was found in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1333. 5
The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: William de Stonham, Cambridgeshire; and Stephen de Stonham, Lincolnshire. 6
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stonehan research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1423, 1525, 1603, 1605 and 1790 are included under the topic Early Stonehan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Stonehan are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Stonehan include: Stoneham, Stonham, Stanham, Stannum and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Stonehan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Stonehan or a variant listed above: William Stonehouse who landed in America in 1746; David, Jane, and Robert and seven children settled in Marblehead, Massachusetts in 1821; James Stonehouse settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1833.