Show ContentsStannford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Stannford first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in the village of Stanford that was found in at least ten parishes in England.

Early Origins of the Stannford family

The surname Stannford 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 Stannford family

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

Stannford Spelling Variations

One 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 Stannford has appeared include Stamford, Stanford, Staniford, Staniforth, Stainforth, Stannford, Stanforth and many more.

Early Notables of the Stannford family

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

Ireland Migration of the Stannford family to Ireland

Some of the Stannford 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 Stannford family

At 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 Stannford arrived in North America very early: 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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