Show ContentsStable History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Stable

What does the name Stable mean?

Stable is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Stable family lived in Somerset. Their name, however, is a reference to Estaples, Normandy. Etaples is a small seaport on the French coast about 10 miles from Boulogne. Alternatively, the name could have been an occupational name for someone who works in a stable, or someone who lives near a stable. 1

Early Origins of the Stable family

The surname Stable was first found in Somerset where one of the first records of the family was Robert del Estable who was listed there in the Assize Rolls of 1270. Walter de la Stable was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275 and later Robert atte Stable was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. 2 Staple Fitzpaine dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 and at that time was a small hamlet having a Mill and 100 goats. The original name of this hamlet was Estapla. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the following: Alan le Stabler in Cambridgeshire; William le Stabler in Huntingdonshire; and Thomas le Stabeler in Lincolnshire. 1

Early History of the Stable family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stable research. Another 182 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1196, 1257, 1270, 1275, 1327, 1432, 1460 and 1468 are included under the topic Early Stable History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stable Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Stable has been recorded under many different variations, including Stable, Stapler, Stables, Stabler, Stabyl, Stabil, Stabils, Stibils, Stibles and many more.

Early Notables of the Stable family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Stable of Somerset


Stable migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Stables were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Stable Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edith Stable, who was on record in Virginia in 1674
Stable Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Christopher Stable, who arrived in Maryland in 1749 3
Stable Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Emile Stable, aged 18, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1855 3
  • F Stable, aged 20, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1855 3
  • Jose Stable, aged 40, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1855 3
  • Jacob Stable, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1855 3
  • Johannes Stable, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1874 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Stable (post 1700) +

  • Rondle Owen Charles Stable, Recorder of the Crown Court
  • Hugh Huntington Stable (1896-1985), South African Major General in the British Army
  • Sir Wintringham Norton Stable (1888-1977), British Privy Counsellor


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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