Stopher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Stopher is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from Christopher, an ancient and popular personal name which has been popular for many years as literally, the name means 'Bearer of Christ'.
"I have been told that all who bear the somewhat rare name of Christopherson hail from Furness, in North Lancashire. Anyway it is a native, and owes its origin to the treacherous sands of Morecombe and Duddon. The legend of St. Christopher is that he found an occupation in guiding passengers across a wide stream. One night he bare unawares the child Christ, and was about to sink under an ever-increasing weight, when the Saviour said, 'Thou bearest Him who beareth the sins of the world.' No doubt there would be a shrine to the Saint for belated travellers on Chapel Isle, opposite Conishead Priory. Many a babe would be dedicated to him in gratitude for some hairbreadth escape his father had experienced. " 1
Early Origins of the Stopher family
The surname Stopher was first found in North Lancashire at Furness (now known as Dalton-In-Furness. "The town derived its principal importance from the erection of the magnificent Abbey of Furness, founded in 1127, by Stephen, afterwards king of England, for monks of the Cistercian order, whom he removed from Tulketh, in Amounderness, to this valley, where, obtaining valuable grants, they continued for more than four centuries. " 2
Early History of the Stopher family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stopher research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1225, 1245, 1295, 1558, 1613 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Stopher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Stopher Spelling Variations
Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Stopher include Christopher, Cristopher and others.
Early Notables of the Stopher family
Distinguished members of the family include
- John Christopherson (d. 1558), Bishop of Chichester, "a native of Ulverstone in Lancashire, and was educated in the university of Cambridge, first at Pembroke Hall, and then at St. John's College, und...
- Michael Christopherson (fl. 1613), was an English Catholic divine who received his education in the English college of Douay. 3
Migration of the Stopher family to Ireland
Some of the Stopher family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Stopher 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:
Stopher Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- Miss Kate Stopher, (b. 1856), aged 27, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Westland" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 3rd October 1883 4
- Miss Fanny Stopher, (b. 1862), aged 21, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Westland" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 3rd October 1883 4
Contemporary Notables of the name Stopher (post 1700) +
- Gerald Stopher, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 2000 5
Citations +
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html