Stokes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Stokes is one of the many names that the Normans brought with them when they conquered England in 1066. The Stokes family lived in Pembrokeshire. Their name, however, is a reference to Stock, near Caen, Normandy, the family’s place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Early Origins of the Stokes family

The surname Stokes was first found in Pembrokeshire where they held a family seat from early times. One of the first records of the names was Saint Simon Stock (c. 1165-1265), an English saint who was probably born in Aylesford England. In a vision, The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him and gave him the Carmelite habit, the Brown Scapular and promised that those who die wearing it will be saved.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include the following: Baldewin de Stoke in Suffolk; Mariota de Stoke in Huntingdonshire; Robert de Stokes in Oxfordshire; and Seman de Stokes in Northamptonshire. [1]

Peter Stokes (died 1399), was a Carmelite friar at Hitchin, Hertfordshire and later after studying at Oxford rose to become a doctor of divinity before 1382. During the religious troubles of that year Stokes acted as the representative of Archbishop Courtenay in the university. [2]

“Thomas Stokes, “armiger,” and some, if not all, of the members of his family, which included four sons and twelve daughters, were buried in the church of Ashby Ledgers during the 15th century. Adrian Stokes by right of his wife owned the living of Tifiield in 1575.” [3]

Early History of the Stokes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stokes research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1220, 1569, 1626, 1591, 1669, 1590 and 1591 are included under the topic Early Stokes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stokes 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 Stokes family name include Stoke, Stokes, Stoaks, Stocks and others.

Early Notables of the Stokes family (pre 1700)

Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stokes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stokes World Ranking

In the United States, the name Stokes is the 418^th most popular surname with an estimated 67,149 people with that name. [4] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Stokes is ranked the 458^th most popular surname with an estimated 103 people with that name. [5] And in Australia, the name Stokes is the 412^nd popular surname with an estimated 9,008 people with that name. [6] New Zealand ranks Stokes as 378^th with 1,699 people. [7] The United Kingdom ranks Stokes as 295^th with 20,472 people. [8]

 Migration of the Stokes family to Ireland

Some of the Stokes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Stokes 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 Stokes family to immigrate North America.