Stout Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Stout Surname Name Meaning, Origin, History, & Etymology
There are three origin theories about the Stout last name. First, it may have developed as a nickname referring to a brave or largely built man, from the Middle English word stout, meaning steadfast, ultimately from the Olde French estout, meaning bold or stout. Oddly, the Old Norse name Stutr, means gnat, denoting a person of small and insignificant person. Second, it may be a habitational name denoting a person who was from any of several minor places in Britain (ex. places in Devon) named Stout, from the Old English word stut, meaning hillock. In As such, the name may be Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-Scandinavian, Anglo-French, and may even have Germanic Teutonic or Dutch roots going far enough back (Dutch stout means bold, German stolz means proud, Staudte was a German personal name in medieval times). Third, in Worcestershire, it may have developed from the Old English word stow, meaning a holy place, and hence is a topographic name for a person who lived near a church or monastery. Spelling variations or names with similar etymologies include: Stoute, Stought, Staught, and Stoutt. The name is somewhat rare in England but is still prevalent in the United States. Samuel Lewis’ book titled A Topographical Dictionary of England, states the following in regard to this name: “The church [of Bedingham] consists of a nave, chancel, and aisles, with a chapel at the east end of each aisle, and a circular tower the upper part of which is octagonal; the font is curiously sculptured, and in the chancel are some handsome monuments to the Stow family”.

Early Bearers of the Stout Surname
Adam Stout was listed in the Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester in 1373 AD. Henry ate Stoute is documented in Yarcombe, Devon in 1330 AD. The Poll Tax Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379 AD also list two bearers: Willelmus Stoute and Johannes Stoute.

Popularity & Geographic Distribution
The last name Stout ranks 730^th popularity in the United Status as of the 2000 Census. The name ranks particularly high in the following four states: Indiana (223^rd), Oklahoma (268^th), West Virginia (294^th), and Kansas (309^th).

The surname Stout frequency/commonness ranks as follows in the British Isles: England (3,328^th), Scotland (1,670^th), Wales (5,921^st), Ireland (3,216^th) and Northern Ireland (5,985^th). In England, it ranks highest in county Durham. In Scotland, the surname ranks highest in Orkney and Shetland. In Ireland, it ranks highest in Munster. In Wales, it ranks highest in Glamorgan.

The name is also present throughout the remainder English speaking world: Canada (5,721^st), New Zealand (4,083^rd), Australia (5,850^th), and South Africa (11,257^th).

Stout Family Tree & Stout Genealogy

Stout of Bankton
Honorable Sir Robert Stout of Bankton, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand was born in 1844 in Lerwick, Shetland Isles in 1844. In 1876, he married Anna Paterson, daughter of John Logan Esquire of Dunedin and Justice of the Peace, and had four children as follows: 1) John Logan (1879), 2) Robert (1883), 3) Thomas Duncan Macgregor (1885), and 4) Margaret Annie (1878). He went to New Zealand in 1863 and was appointed second master in Dunedin Grammar School. He later became a student at Otago University and fellow of New Zealand University. He was elected to the General Assembly of 1875 for Caversham and in 1876 for Dunedin. He also served as Attorney General and Minister for Immigration. This family is of Danish or Danish descent and the resided in the southern part of the Shetland Islands for hundreds of years. Robert Stout, a builder, held property in Shetland. He married Grace Williamson and had a son with her named Thomas. Thomas Stout of Lerwick, Shetland, married Margaret Smith, a woman of Celtic origin, and had the following issue with her: Sir Robert (discussed above), George Smith, Thomas (married in 1884, had two children), and Janet (married John Macgregor Esq., had a son named Thomas born in 1879). He had two more issue with his second wife: William Anderson (married in 1887 and had a daughter) and John Bannatyne.

Other Branches of the Stout Family Tree

(Information in this section was obtained through various online sources and Stout researchers and it may contain errors)

Andrew Stout was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland around in 1501 AD. He may have been a sheepherder by trade. He married Ann, and had a son with her named David. David Stout was born in Peebleshire, Scotland in 1539. He married Mary, daughter of William John Adam Scott, and had a son with her named Richard. This son, Richard Stout or Stought was born in Peebles, Peebleshire in 1567. He married Rose Haddon Sarah Moon and had a son with the former named John. John Stout or Staught was born in Burton Joyce Parish, Nottinghamshire, England around 1580. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Bee, and had a son with her named Richard. This son, Richard Eli Stout I, was born in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire, England in 1615. He married Penelope, who is thought to be the daughter of Baron John van Printzen. Although there is no given proof of her surname or parentage. He was a British sailor and tobacco farmer by trade. He came to colonial America. He was the father of the following children: John, John, Captain Richard II, James, Mary Penelope, Alice, Peter, Sarah, Jonathan, David, Benjamin, and Elizabeth. All of his sons had issue and are discussed below:
1) John Stout was born in New Jersey in 1646. He married Anna and had a son with her named Benjamin who was born in 1691. Benjamin married Hannah and had a son named also named Benjamin born in 1725. This Benjamin in turn had a son named Hezekiah.
2) John Stout was born in Gravesend, Long Island, New Netherlands (New York) in 1645. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Crawford, gentleman, and had the following children with her: Richard, Faith Deliverance, Hopestill, John, Jean, Penelope, and Frances.
3) Captain Richard Stout II was born in Gravesend, New Netherlands in 1646. He married Frances and later Mary Seymour, and had the following children with her: Lucy Lawrence, Richard, Rebecca, Joseph, Robert, John, Seymour, Penelope, Benjamin
4) James Stout was born in Gravesend, New Netherlands in c. 1648. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Philippe du Trieux, and fathered the following children with her: Mercy, Elizabeth Ann, Penelope, Benjamin, Ann, James Jr., and Joseph
5) Peter Stout was born in Gravesend, New Netherlands in c. 1654. He married Mary, daughter of Captain James Bollen and Anne Vauquellen, and had the following issue with her: Mary, John, Samuel, Margaret, Peter, Elizabeth, and Penelope
6) Jonathan Stout was born in Gravesend, New Netherlands in 1660. He married Anna, daughter of Captain James Bollen and Anne Vauquellen, and was the father of the following children: William, Frances, Colonel Joseph, Sarah, Benjamin, Freegift, Richard, James Sr., Hannah, Tombrook, Zebulon, Anne, Hannah, Samuel Esq., Catherine, Anne, Dr. Jonathan, Deliverance, David, Andrew Samuel, Jean, Penelope, and Rebecca.
7) David Stout was born in Middletown, New Jersey in 1667. He married Rebecca, daughter of James Ashton, and had the following issue with her: Abner, Rebecca, Freegift, James, David, Benjamin, Penelope, William, and Martha.
8) Benjamin Stout was born in in Gravesend, New Netherlands in 1669. He married Mary Leonard and Agnietie du Trieux, and had five children as follows: Benjamin, Agnus, Jacob, Charles, and Joseph.

The following is a story about Penelope Stout, the matriarch of the family: “Penelope was actually English and her maiden name might have been KENT. She was married to a Dutchman named VAN PRINCIS and was on her way with him to the settlement of New Amsterdam (now New York City) sometime in the 1640’s when their ship was wrecked on the Jersey shore in the area now known as Sandy Hook. Her husband was either injured or too sick to travel, so Penelope stayed with him while the rest of the ship’s company proceeded on foot to New Amsterdam. The couple were then discovered by a band of Indians who attacked them, killing Penelope’s husband and leaving her apparently mortally wounded. Penelope managed to crawl off and hide while trying to stay alive. Legend has it that she hid inside a hollow log and took some sustenance from the fungus growing there. A few days later, she was discovered by another Indian and his son who decided to take her in and try to heal her. Penelope recovered from her wounds and was eventually taken to New Amsterdam by her benefactors. Some stories say that she continued to see the old Indian in the years that followed”

Marriages of Stouts
1) William Stout married Margeri Bancks in Bedale, York, England in 1561
2) Richard Stout married Margret Sycklinge in the Bedale, York, England in 1592
3) Richard Stout married Anne Hill in Westbury On Severn, Gloucester, England in 1601
4) William Stout married Christeane Moffit in Hamilton, Lanark, Scotland in 1648
5) David Stout married Margaret Macklaire in South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland in 1655
6) Carl Willie Stout married Brenda Erwin Pollygus in Avery, North Carolina in
7) Martha Stoud married Rachell Pone in Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts in 1680
8) John Stout married Susannah Lewis in Trinity Church Parish, New York in 1764
9) William Stout married Rebecca Snow in Brunswick, Cumberland, Maine in 1794
10) William Stout married Isebella Grant in Franklin, Ohio in 1840
11) William Stout married Elisabeth Dornon in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada in 1863
12) Nicolas Stout married Sarah Johnson in Kilmoe, Cork, Ireland in 1845

Early American and New World Settlers
Some of the earliest settlers in colonial America bearing this name include:
1) Thomas Stout came to Virginia in 1638
2) Richard Stout came to Long Island, New York in 1643
3) Mary Stout came to Virginia in 1654
4) Roger Stout came to Maryland in 1668
5) Peter Stout came to Maryland in 1672
6) Stephen Stout came to Maryland in 1672
7) Mary Stout came to Maryland in 1677
8) Daniel Stout (born 1693) came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738
9) Peter Stout (born 1699) came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1741
10) Jacob Stout (born 1711) came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1737
11) Thomas Stout came to Virginia in 1714
12) Hans Adam Stout came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1737
13) Johann Stout came to Georgia between 1733-1783
14) William Stout came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1754

Several thousand members of the Stout family came to the United States through Ellis Island, during the nineteenth century, including:
1) George Stout came from Glasgow, Scotland aboard the Campania in 1906
2) William Stout came from England aboard the Caledonia in 1871
3) Thomas Stout came from England aboard the China in 1878
4) William Stout came from Europa aboard the Europa in 1868
5) Thomas Stout came from England aboard the City of Brussels in 1870
6) George Stout came from Ireland aboard the Europa in 1868
7) J.M. Stout came from Barbados aboard the Buffon in 1900
8) John Stout came from England aboard the Adriactic in 1891
9) John Stout came from England aboard the Nevada in 1881
10) Martha Stout came from Ireland aboard the Carroll of Carrollton in 1839
11) Jasper Stout came from England aboard the James Edwards in 1841
12) Mary Fairgrieve Stout came from Edinburgh, Scotland aboard the Columbia in 1920

Some of the earliest settlers in Canada bearing this name include:
1) Eli and Jane Stout came from Liverpool, England to Quebec aboard the European in 1871
2) James Stout came from Glasgow or Londonderry to Quebec aboard the St. Andrew in 1872
3) Phillip H. Stout came to Montreal aboard the Erl King in 1883
4) John Stout came to Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the Mongolian in 1904
5) George Stout came from Liverpool, England to Quebec aboard the Empress of Britain in 1908

Some of the earliest settlers in Australia and New Zealand bearing this name include:
1) Sarah Stout came to New South Wales aboard the Orontes in 1838
2) John Stout came from London, England to New South Wales aboard the Orontes in 1838
3) Frans Stout came to Tasmania aboard the Appolline in 1842
4) Adam Stout came to New South Wales aboard the St. Vincent in 1844
5) Helen Stout came to Lyttleton aboard the Brothers Pride in 1863
6) William Stout, a farm laborer, came to Lyttleton aboard the Brothers Pride in 1863
7) George Stout came to Canterbury, New Zealand aboard the Hydaspes in 1878

Notables
There are hundreds of notable people with the Stout surname. This page will mention a handful. Famous people with this last name include:
1) Dr. Arlow Burdette Stout (1876-1957) was a botanist considered to be the pioneer breeder of the modern hybrid daylily, born in Albion, Wisconsin
2) Bryon Gray Stout (1829-1896) was a politician from who served in the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate, born in Richmond, New York
3) Hosea Stout (1810), born in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement, a Mormon pioneer, soldier, chief of police, lawyer, and politician in the Utah Territory
4) Juanita Kidd Stout (1919-1998) was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from 1988-1989, the first African-American woman to serve on the Supreme Court of any state
5) Lansing Stout (1828-1871) was a member of the US House of Representatives from Oregon from 1859-1861, and he also served in the Oregon State Senate and California State Assembly, born in New York
6) Richard Stout (1836-1896), born in New York, was a sailor in the Union Navy during the American Civil war who received a Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Stono River in 1863, the citation states: “Fired on from two sides, she fought her guns until disabled. Suffering heavy casualties and at the mercy of the enemy who was delivering a raking fire from every side, she struck her colors out of regard for the wounded aboard, and all aboard were taken prisoners. Carrying out his duties bravely through this action, Stout was severely wounded and lost his right arm while returning the rebel fire”
7) J. Peter Stout (1923-1996) was an American football fullback who played for the Washington Redskins from 1949 to 1950
8) George Frederick Stout (1860-1944) was an English psychologist and philosopher born in South Shields and educated at Cambridge University
9) Tom Stout was a member of the US House of Representatives from Montana from 1913-1917, born in New London, Missouri
10) William Bushnell Stout (1880-1956) was a pioneering engineer and inventor who was an executive at the Ford Motor Company, known for his innovations in the automotive and aviation fields, born in Quincy, Illinois.

Stout America Civil War Veterans
There were several soldiers with the last name Stout who served in the American Civil War, including the following:
1) Lewis A. Stout of the 14^th Regiment Illinois Cavalry (Union)
2) Joseph E. Stout of the 16^th Regiment Illinois Infantry (Union)
3) William F. Stout of the 22^nd Regiment Illinois Infantry (Union)
4) William N. Stout of the 62^nd Regiment Ohio Infantry (Union)
5) Jefferson C. Stout of the 37^th Regiment Indiana Infantry (Union)
6) Isom K. Stout of the 13^th Tennessee Cavalry (Union)
7) Charles M. Stout of the 3^rd Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry (Union)
8) Andrew G. Stout of the 11^th Regiment Tennessee Infantry (Confederacy)
9) John D. Stout of 25^th Regiment Virginia Cavalry (Confederacy)
10) George W. Stout of the 32^nd Regiment Texas Cavalry (Confederacy)
11) James M. Stout of Griffin’s Battalion Texas Infantry (Confederacy)
12) Andrew W. Stout of the 4^th Regiment Alabama Cavalry (Confederacy)

Stout America Revolution Veterans
There were several soldiers with the last name Stout who served in the Revolutionary War, including the following:
1) Jacob Stout of New York
2) Sergeant James Stout of New Jersey
3) Capitan Joseph Stout of New Jersey
4) Private Wessel T. Stout of New Jersey
5) Captain Harman Stout of Pennsylvania
6) Private John Stout of Pennsylvania
7) Private Joseph Stout of Virginia
8) Sergeant Abraham Stout of New Jersey
9) Private Mathew Mollcod Stout of Connecticut
10) Samuel Stout of New York
11) Corporal Elisa Stout
12) Sergeant Stephan Stout

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Ar. a pale gu. surmounted by a saltire az. Crest—A talbot pass. or.
2) Sa. five leopards’ faces in cross ar.