Starns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Starns

What does the name Starns mean?

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Starns come from its first bearer, who was a stern person. The surname Starns is derived from the Old English word styrne, which means severe, strict, uncompromising, and austere. 1 2

Early Origins of the Starns family

The surname Starns was first found in Cambridgeshire where Henry Sterne and Aubn Sterne was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 3 Later, Haney Sterne was listed in Norfolk in 1460. 4

Early History of the Starns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Starns research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1596, 1607, 1624, 1642, 1643, 1660, 1664, 1669, 1683, 1700, 1713, 1745, 1759 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Starns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Starns 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. Starns has been spelled many different ways, including Sterne, Stern, Stearn, Stearns and others.

Early Notables of the Starns family

John Sterne, Bishop of Colchester in 1592 who held the post until his death in 1607; and Richard Sterne (c. 1596-1683), English Church of England priest, Bishop of Carlisle in 1660, Archbishop of York from 1664 to 1683. He was the alleged author of the 'Whole Duty of Man.' 5 "On the outbreak of the civil war, Sterne zealously adopted the royalist cause, and in August 1642 he arranged for the despatch of large quantities of college plate to the king. Cromwell, however, who, as one of the burgesses of Cambridge, was engaged in securing that town for parliament, had Sterne...
Another 146 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Starns Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Starns Ranking

the United States, the name Starns is the 14,469^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Starns family to Ireland

Some of the Starns family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 174 words (12 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 Starns 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 Starnss to arrive in North America: Abigail and Mary Stearns settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; Isaac Stearns, his wife Mary, his son and four daughters settled in Massachusetts in 1630.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/