Stepto History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe name Stepto is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a person who "treads lightly" 1 or may refer "[to a person's] gait." 2 Early Origins of the Stepto familyThe surname Stepto was first found in various counties and shires throughout England. Early records of the name were very scarce yet one source claims that John Stepsoft who was listed in 1260 as a probable ancestor. 1 Many years later, William Steptoe was listed in the Hearth Tax Returns for Oxfordshire in 1665 and in 1674, John Steptoe was listed in the Hearth Tax Rolls for Suffolk. 1 One branch of the family was established in Middlesex as Anthony Steptoe immigrated to America from there in 1676. Early History of the Stepto familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stepto research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1751, 1753, 1788 and 1802 are included under the topic Early Stepto History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Stepto Spelling VariationsStepto has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Stepto have been found, including Stepto, Steptoe, Steptow, Steptowe and others. Early Notables of the Stepto familyDistinguished members of the family include
Migration of the Stepto familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Steptos to arrive on North American shores: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..
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