This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Stapleton,' a village in the parish of Darlington, near Pontefract, Yorkshire; also parishes in Cumberland, Gloucestershire, and Salop.

William de Stapelton, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Nicholas de Stapelton, Yorkshire, ibid.

Milo de Stapelton, Yorkshire, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Richard de Stapiltone, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Mergareta de Stapilton, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Robertus de Stapulton, 1379: ibid.

Bryan de Stapilton, 1379: ibid.

1585-6. John Stapleton and Jane Kele: Marriage Lic. (London).

STAPILTON: William of Stapilton, vallettus to Edward Balliof in 1349 (Rot. Scot., I, p. 728) may have been an Englishman. There are two places named Stapleton in Yorkshire, each of which gave name to a family of some prominence, but quite distinct.

This ancient family derived their name from the lordship of Stapleton on the river Tees, in the bishopric of Durham. They sprang from Nicholas de Stapleton, 17. King John, whose son, the warlike Sir Miles, was created Baron Stapleton in 1313. The Irish Stapletons spring from Sir John Stapleton, a scion of the Yorkshire family, who went to Ireland temp. Henry II. and received a grant of lands from King John. Courthope's Debrett.

(Saxon.) From stapel, stapol, stapula, a staple, fastening, stake, and ton,—a town inclosed or fenced round with stakes.