Stapills History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Stapills family brought their name to England in the wave of migration 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 Stapills family

The surname Stapills 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 Stapills 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 Stapills family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stapills 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 Stapills History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stapills Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Stapills were recorded, including Staple, Staples, Stapel, Stapels, Stapell, Stapelle, Stapells and many more.

Early Notables of the Stapills 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 Stapills Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stapills family to Ireland

Some of the Stapills 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 Stapills family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Stapills arrived in North America very early: 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 Stapills 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)