Show ContentsStanfart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Stanfart is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the village of Stanford that was found in at least ten parishes in England.

Early Origins of the Stanfart family

The surname Stanfart was first found in Staffordshire but was found in various counties including: Stanford, Kent; Stanford Bishop, Herefordshire; Stanford Dingley, Berkshire; Stanford in the Vale; and Stanford le Hope in Essex. The name literally means "stone ford" or "stony ford" 1 and was listed in the Domesday Book in numerous places too. The Stainforth variant called Darnall in Yorkshire their ancient family seat. "The Hall [of Darnall], built by the Staniforths, was the residence of that family for several generations, and afterwards a seat of the late Duke of Norfolk's." 2

Early History of the Stanfart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stanfart research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1175 and 1461 are included under the topic Early Stanfart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stanfart Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Stanfart has been spelled many different ways, including Stamford, Stanford, Staniford, Staniforth, Stainforth, Stannford, Stanforth and many more.

Early Notables of the Stanfart family

More information is included under the topic Early Stanfart Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Stanfart family to Ireland

Some of the Stanfart 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.

Migration of the Stanfart family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Stanfarts to arrive in North America: John Stamford who settled in Virginia in 1624; Francis Stanford, his wife Grace, and six children arrived in Philadelphia in 1683; Robert Stanford and his wife Mary and son Robert arrived in Barbados in 1678.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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