Show ContentsSteuell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Steuell family

The surname Steuell was first found in Gloucestershire of Somerset where they held a family seat from ancient times as Lords of the manor of Catherston. West Stowell in Wiltshire is now known as Alton-Priors.

These place names mean "stony spring or stream," from the Old English "stan" + "well." 1

The Somerset is the oldest location dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Stanwelle. 2

One of the first records of the family was Geoffrey de Stawelle, Somerset, 1 Edward III (recorded during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Richard de Stawell, Wiltshire; and Lecia Stowelle, Cambridgeshire. 4

Some of the family were also found in Jacobstow, Cornwall. "The manor of Penhallam, which extends into the parishes of Poundstock, Week St. Mary, and Boyton, was formerly in the family of Newell of Somerset. Norden describes it as the seat of Sir John Stawell, then lately deceased. Lysons, when speaking of Penhallam, supposes that it came into the family of Sir John Stawell, by a match with the heiress of a Cornish family called Beaupre, or Belloprato. This circumstance probably drew this family from Somersetshire, and occasioned their settling in Cornwall." 5

Early History of the Steuell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Steuell research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1599, 1644, 1662, 1683, 1689, 1760 and 1910 are included under the topic Early Steuell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Steuell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Staywell, Stawell, Stawel, Staywel, Stewel, Stewell, Stowell, Stowel, Stowle and many more.

Early Notables of the Steuell family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Stawell or Stowell (1599-1662), an English Member of Parliament and Royalist Governor of Taunton during the English Civil War. He was second but eldest surviving son of Sir John Stawell of Cotholstone, Somerset, by his wife Elizabeth. "The family had long been settled...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Steuell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Steuell family to Ireland

Some of the Steuell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 56 words (4 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 Steuell family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Robert Stawell, who arrived in New England in 1719; and William Staywell, who settled in New England in 1772.



The Steuell 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: En parole Je vis
Motto Translation: I live on the word.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  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)
  5. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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