Stapleton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Stapleton

What does the name Stapleton mean?

The name Stapleton has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in the village of Stapleton which could be found in the counties of Cumberland, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Somerset and Yorkshire. The surname Stapleton is a habitation name that was originally derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The surname originated as a means of identifying individuals from a particular area. In the Middle Ages people often assumed the name of the place that they originally lived as their surname during the course of travel. In this case the surname Stapleton was originally derived from the Old English terms which denoted a farm with a prominent pillar. 1

Early Origins of the Stapleton family

The surname Stapleton was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, where tradition states that Octa, brother of Hengis, the Saxon invader, in the year 450, came north to defend his territory against the Picts, and established a fort on the banks of the Tees calling it Stapleton. In 1052, Heryon, was Lord of the manor of Stapleton upon Tees.

We draw the reader's attention to Saddleworth cum Quick in Yorkshire. "At the time of the Conquest, Saddleworth was constituted a manor; and in the year 1200, William de Stapleton, to whom it then belonged, founded a chapel here for his tenants, which he made subordinate to the church of St. Chad, Rochdale. From the Stapletons the portion of the manor called Friermere or Friar-Mere, which is in extent one-half of the chapelry." 2

Walter de Stapeldon (1261-1326), was Bishop of Exeter, and virtual founder of Exeter College, Oxford, a younger son of William and Mabilla de Stapeldon, was born at Annery in the parish of Monkleigh, Devonshire. 3

"The most notable of the ecclesiastical lords of Ashburton, [Devon] in his connection with that town, was Bishop Stapledon, who held the See of Exeter from 1308 to 1327. He was partial to the little burgh on the verge of the Dartmoor highlands, and frequently resided in its manor-house. Two years after his accession he procured the grant of a market and fair ; and four years later still founded the Guild or Fraternity of St. Lawrence, giving it a chapel which he had erected within the precincts of his court. The present edifice, therefore, very closely marks the site of the episcopal palace. " 4

Brian de Stapleton (1321?-1394), of Wighill, knight, was the second son of Sir Gilbert de Stapleton, and younger brother of Miles de Stapleton (d. 1364.)

"The manor of Carwythenack in the [parish of Constantine, Cornwall] belonged so early as the reign of Edward II. to the family of Stapleton." 5

Sir Miles Stapleton, of Bedale, Yorkshire was Lord of Ingham, Norfolk by marriage in 1360 to Joanna, daughter and sole heiress of Sir Oliver de Ingham.

Early History of the Stapleton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stapleton research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1268, 1320, 1322, 1364, 1394, 1535, 1598, 1617, 1648, 1657, 1660, 1669, 1679, 1681, 1683, 1690, 1695, 1698, 1705, 1708, 1727 and 1733 are included under the topic Early Stapleton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stapleton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Stapleton have been found, including Stapylton, Stapleton, Stapulton, Stapilton, Stapledon and many more.

Early Notables of the Stapleton family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Sir Miles Stapleton of Bedale KG (1320?-1364), an English knight, one of the Knights Founder of the Order of the Garter who served in the Wars of Gascogne in 1268
Sir Bryan Stapleton KG (c.1322-1394), an English medieval knight from Yorkshire
Thomas Stapleton (1535-1598), an English Catholic controversialist from Sussex

Stapleton Ranking

In the United States, the name Stapleton is the 1,644^th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Stapleton is ranked the 651^st most popular surname with an estimated 68 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Stapleton family to Ireland

Some of the Stapleton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stapleton migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Stapleton, or a variant listed above:

Stapleton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Bryant Stapleton, who arrived in Maryland in 1659 8
Tho Stapleton, who landed in Virginia in 1663-1664 8
Ann Stapleton, who landed in Maryland in 1674 8

Stapleton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Henry Stapleton, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 8
Thomas Stapleton, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 8
Philip Stapleton, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1763 8
Phillip Stapleton, who arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1763

Stapleton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Patrick Stapleton, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1833 8
John Stapleton, who arrived in New York in 1841 8
John and Mary Stapleton, who arrived in Boston in 1850 with their two children
Cath Stapleton, aged 22, who landed in New York in 1854 8

Stapleton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Stapleton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

William Stapleton was a fisherman of St. John's Newfoundland in 1774 9

Stapleton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Michael Stapleton, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1811
Joanna Stapleton, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1834
Margaret Stapleton, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1837
Mrs. Elizabeth Stapleton, aged 60 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Lady Campbell" departing from the port of Dublin, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 10
Mr. William Stapleton, aged 19 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Argo" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 10

Stapleton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Stapleton Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Richard Stapleton, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1797 aboard the ship 11

Stapleton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Stapleton, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Samuel Stapleton, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
Miss Elizabeth Stapleton, (Wagdon), (b. 1810), aged 19, Irish milliner who was convicted in Kildare, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Edward" on 1st January 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Henry Stapleton, (b. 1799), aged 30, Irish butcher who was convicted in Kilkenny, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 2nd March 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
Mr. Thomas Stapleton, (Cotton), (b. 1797), aged 33, Irish shoe maker who was convicted in Kilkenny, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Forth" on 1st January 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1880 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stapleton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

William Stapleton, aged 26, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" between 1841 and 1850

Stapleton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George William Stapleton, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Alfred" in 1864 17
Mr. Thomas Stapleton, (b. 1829), aged 36, British sawyer travelling from London aboard the ship "Eastern Empire" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 4th January 1865 18
Mrs. Martha Stapleton, (b. 1831), aged 34, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Eastern Empire" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 4th January 1865 18
Mr. Tom Stapleton, (b. 1854), aged 11, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Eastern Empire" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 4th January 1865 18
Mr. Everard Stapleton, (b. 1856), aged 9, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Eastern Empire" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 4th January 1865 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stapleton migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Stapleton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Pierce Stapleton who settled in St. Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635
Pierce Stapleton, aged 22, who arrived in St Christopher in 1635 8
Mr. Pierce Stapleton, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 20

Contemporary Notables of the name Stapleton (post 1700) +

Clayton Stapleton (1921-2014), American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator
Jean Stapleton (1923-2013), American actress of stage, television and film, best known for her portrayal of the long-suffering, yet devoted wife of Archie Bunker
Lois Maureen Stapleton (1925-2006), Academy Award-winning American actress in film, theater and television, who also won an Emmy Award, two Tony Awards and was elected to the American Theatre Hall of Fame
Craig Roberts Stapleton, United States Ambassador to France (2007)
Vivienne Stapleton (b. 1921), birth name of Vivian Blaine, American actress and singer
Debbie Stapleton (b. 1947), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Connecticut, 2000, 2004 21
Craig Robert Stapleton (b. 1945), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 2001 21
Craig Stapleton (b. 1945), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Connecticut, 2004 21
Charles William Stapleton (1851-1935), American politician, Member of New York State Senate 24th District, 1894-95 21
Benjamin F. Stapleton (b. 1873), American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Denver, Colorado, 1923-31, 1935-47; Colorado State Auditor, 1933-35; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Colorado, 1940 21
... (Another 30 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Stapleton family +

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Helen Stapleton (1855-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. G Stapleton, British Petty Office Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23
Mr. Stapleton, British Boy Bugler, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 23

HMS Repulse

Mr. Peter Stapleton, British Chief Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 24

SS Southern Cross

Mr. Patrick Stapleton (1884-1914), Newfoundlander from St. John's who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

The Stapleton 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: Fide sed cui vide
Motto Translation: Trust, but in whom take care.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 56)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th November 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/edward
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/forth
Archives New Zealand Micro 5019. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Alfred. Retrieved from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ourstuff/Alfred1864.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, March 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html