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![Show Contents]() Stafeleigh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancient roots of the Stafeleigh family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Stafeleigh comes from when the family lived in one of the various places called Staveley in the counties of Derbyshire, Lancashire, and Westmorland, and in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Stafeleigh belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Early Origins of the Stafeleigh familyThe surname Stafeleigh was first found in Derbyshire at Staveley, a town within the borough of Chesterfield which literally means "wood or clearing where staves are got" from the Old English "staef" + "leah." 1 The town was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Stavelie. 2 Staveley is also a village and civil parish in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire and this village also dates back to the Domesday Book where it is listed as Stanlei. These are the oldest references to the place name but there are others scattered throughout England. Some of the family held a family seat at Stalybridge in Cheshire. "The name of Staly, originally Staveleigh, is derived from an ancient family who, in the reign of Edward III., occupied Stayley Hall, a portion of which mansion still remains; the addition arises from a bridge over the Tame, that connects the two counties, and which has been rebuilt." 3 Early History of the Stafeleigh familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stafeleigh research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1498, 1613, 1626 and 1678 are included under the topic Early Stafeleigh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Stafeleigh Spelling VariationsOne relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Stafeleigh has appeared include Staveley, Stavely, Staley, Stayley, Staveleigh and many more. Early Notables of the Stafeleigh familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Thomas Staveley, High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1613; and Thomas Staveley (born 1626), antiquary and church historian of East Langton Leicestershire.
William Stayley or Staley (died 1678), was a victim of the 'Popish Plot,' was the son of William Staley, and carried on his father's business as goldsmith and banker in Covent Garden. In September 1678, he was accused of high treason, but was offered to suppress the charge in consideration of the sum of 200 shillings. "The banker laughed at the insolence of the...
Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stafeleigh Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Stafeleigh family to Ireland
Some of the Stafeleigh family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Stafeleigh familyAt this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Stafeleigh arrived in North America very early: Elizabeth Staveley landed in America in 1760; John Stavelie settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1834; Edward Stavely settled in New Castle Del. in 1839.
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: Fidelis ad urnam
Motto Translation: Faithful to the tomb.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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England
Ireland
