Stonham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Stonham family claim descent from Aspal Stonham, Earl Stonham or Stonham Parva, all located in Suffolk. Each parish is located in the union and hundred of Bosmere and Claydon. 1 2

All date back to Saxon times when they collectively were known as Stonham c. 1040. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, they were known as Stanham. 3

Literally the place name means "homestead by a stone or with stony ground," from the Old English words "stan" + "ham." 4 Aspal Stonham is a manorial affix for the de Aspale family who have been there since the 13th century.

Early Origins of the Stonham family

The surname Stonham was first found in Suffolk where Robert de Stanham was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1177. Later in the same county, John de Stanham was listed in 1205 and later again, Roger Stonham was found in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1333. 5

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: William de Stonham, Cambridgeshire; and Stephen de Stonham, Lincolnshire. 6

Early History of the Stonham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stonham research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1423, 1525, 1603, 1605 and 1790 are included under the topic Early Stonham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stonham Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Stonham has been recorded under many different variations, including Stoneham, Stonham, Stanham, Stannum and others.

Early Notables of the Stonham family

More information is included under the topic Early Stonham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stonham family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Stonham or a variant listed above: William Stonehouse who landed in America in 1746; David, Jane, and Robert and seven children settled in Marblehead, Massachusetts in 1821; James Stonehouse settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1833.

Contemporary Notables of the name Stonham (post 1700) +

Ronald Leonard Stonham (1927-2014), British Special Assistant to the Director of Personnel at the BBC
Peter Stonham (b. 1996), Australian actor, known for Water Rats, Home and Away (1988) and A Country Practice (1981)
Kay Stonham, British Writes Guild Award winner writer, actress and academic, known for Buddy (1986), Harry Enfield and Chums (1994) and The Young Ones (1982)

The Stonham 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: Sublimiora petamus
Motto Translation: Let us seek higher things.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)