The Old English word 'stoc' meaning 'a place', has given birth to many surnames. These include Stock, Stoke, Stoak, and Stook, although in fact their plural forms are the usual spelling. Quite why the plurality developed is generally accepted as being dialectal, it being easier in pronunciation to add the final 's'. The confusion is further heightened by the fact that the earliest plural spellings often pre-date the base form, although again this is probably owing to a lack of recordings. In this case we have one of the earliest of all surnames, and these examples include Cnut de Stoch in the 1166 Derbyshire Pipe Rolls, William atte Stokkes in the 1310 Hertfordshire Rolls, and Rose atte Stock of Essex in 1315.
As a place name 'Stoke' is found widely in Devon, Somerset, Derbyshire, etc. One of the earliest recorded Barons was William Stoc, who appears in the Knight Templar (Crusader) Rolls for Warwickshire in 1185. The later post medieval developed spellings include Thomas Stookes who married Alse Feild at St Brides Church, Fleet Street, London, on May 17th 1590, and William Stooke, the father of Deborah Stooke, a witness at her christening of March 4th 1653. This latter event is particularly interesting as it occurred during the period of 'The Commonwealth' after the execution of Charles 1st in 1649. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ricerus de Stokas, which was dated 1084, The Geld Roll (Domesday Book) for Somerset in 1084, during the reign of King William 1, known as 'The Conqueror', 1066 - 1087. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The history of the surname stoke is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of stoke. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname stoke, and in addition to the original locations of stoke, we can find out where people with the surname stoke can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of stoke.
It is common for surnames like stoke to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The mobility of people carrying the surname stoke has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.
The historical journey of the surname stoke can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of stoke. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname stoke are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname stoke.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname stoke, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname stoke or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of stoke.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all stokes who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. A surname like stoke can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname stoke, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname stoke who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname stoke. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname stoke, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of stoke.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of stoke, and at the same time, of surnames in general.