Stapeles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The history of the Stapeles family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Kent having derived from the Old French word estaple, meaning market-place, and indicates a person who lived near such a place. Another source claims that the name literally meant "dweller by a post or posts," from the Old English word stapol, meaning "post" or "pillar." 1

Early Origins of the Stapeles family

The surname Stapeles was first found in Kent at Staple-next-Wingham, a parish, in the union of Eastry, hundred of Downhamford, lathe of St. Augustine. This place name dates back to 1205 when it was first listed as Staples. 2 The first record of the name was Robert de Stapel who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 3

The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire listed Walter de Stapel in 1275, and Osmund atte Staple was listed in Place Names of Surrey in 1279. Richard de Staples and John Stapel were both listed in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1321. 1

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Robertus Staple, mercer; and Willwelmus Staple. 3

Staple-Fitzpaine is a parish, in the union of Taunton, hundred of Abdick and Bulstone, W. division of Somerset. The Fitzpaine family added the suffix in the 14th century so it is unlikely that the Stapeles family originated there. 4 However, this latter place name does date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Staple. 5

Early History of the Stapeles family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stapeles research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1200, 1490, 1530, 1534, 1560, 1653, 1672, 1673, 1684, 1693, 1714, 1730 and 1741 are included under the topic Early Stapeles History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stapeles Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Staple, Staples, Stapel, Stapels, Stapell, Stapelle, Stapells and many more.

Early Notables of the Stapeles family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Staple or Staples (1490?-1560?), Bishop of Meath, born probably about 1490, is said to have been a native of Lincolnshire or Lancashire. In 1530, at King Henry's request, the Pope provided Staples to the bishopric of Meath...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stapeles Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stapeles family to Ireland

Some of the Stapeles family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 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 Stapeles family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Stapeles name or one of its variants: James Staple who settled in Virginia in 1685; Leonard Staple settled in Barbados in 1685; Elizabeth Staples settled in Virginia in 1651; Susannah Staples settled in Maryland in 1775.

The Stapeles Motto +

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: Sans dieu rien
Motto Translation: Without God nothing.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)