Show ContentsStickline History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Stickline reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Stickline family lived in Westmorland, at Great Strickland, a township in the parish of Morland, West ward and union. "This place takes its name from the ancient family of Strickland, who were lords of the manor, and resided here. " [1]

Little Strickland is "a township, in the chapelry of Thrimby, parish of Morland, West ward and union, county of Westmorland, 3 miles (N. E.) from Shap." [1]

Early Origins of the Stickline family

The surname Stickline was first found in Westmorland at Great Strickland or Little Strickland which dates back to the 12th century when it was named Stircland of Stirkland. [2] [3] The name is derived from the Old English words "stirc" + "land" and meant "cultivated land where young bullocks are kept." [4]

Strickland-Ketel and Strickland-Roger were located in the same county. "Descended from Walter de Stirkland, Knight, so called from the pasture-ground of the young cattle, called stirks or steers, in the parish of Morland, in this county; who was living in the reign of Henry III." [5]

The first record of the family was found here in the Pipe Rolls of 1193 where Vchtred de Stirclanda was listed. Later, William de Strikeland was listed in 1278 and later again, Walter

Strykland was listed in the Assize Rolls for London in 1442. [6]

The source Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III. records William de Stirkelaunde, Westmorland, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of the reign of King Edward I). [3]

However, some of the family branched to Wintringham in East Riding of Yorkshire in early times. "This parish is situated on the river Derwent, and comprises 8480 acres, of which 5740 are in the township, and, with the exception of the large farm of Linton, exclusively the property of Sir George Strickland, Bart., who is lord of the manor. The living is a donative, in the patronage of Sir George Strickland: the church is in the early English style, with a square embattled tower surmounted by a tall and graceful spire." [1]

Further to the north in Scotland, "Robert de Strikland witnessed confirmation by Alexander filius Walteri of his father's gifts to the church of Paisley, 1239 and Robert de Stirkeland had protection for two years for going on the king of England's service beyond seas, 1370." [7]

Early History of the Stickline family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stickline research. Another 155 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1200, 1366, 1380, 1400, 1415, 1419, 1596, 1598, 1600, 1621, 1640, 1665, 1671, 1673, 1685, 1686, 1689, 1694, 1717, 1724 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Stickline History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stickline Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Stickline family name include Strickland, Stirkland, Stickland and others.

Early Notables of the Stickline family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Walter Strickland of Sizergh Hall; Sir Robert Strickland of Sizergh (1600-1671), an English Member of Parliament for Westmorland; Sir Thomas Strickland of Sizergh (1621-1694), supporter of the Royalist cause in the English Civil War; William Strickland (died 1419), an English priest, Bishop of Carlisle (1400 to 1419); William Strickland (died 1598), English landowner and early explorer of...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stickline Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Stickline migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Stickline family to immigrate North America:

Stickline Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Frank Stickline, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1866 [8]


The Stickline 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 mal
Motto Translation: Without evil.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  5. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  7. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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