[Illustration] This family is stated by Thomas, in his additions to
Dugdale's Warwickshire, to be a branch of the Stauntons of Staunton,
in the county of Nottingham, an ancient house which is traced to the
Conquest, and was lately represented by Sir George Staunton, Baronet
of Ireland 1785, extinct 1859. The first of the line seated in
Warwickshire was Thomas Staunton, in the 39th of Henry VI., 1461.
The parent house, existing in the male line, until the year 1688, at
Staunton, in Nottinghamshire, held their lands by tenure of
_Castle-Guard_, by keeping and defending a tower in the Castle of
Belvoir, to this day called Staunton Tower. There is an ancient
custom also that the chief of the house of Staunton should present
the key of this tower to any of the Royal Family who may honour
Belvoir with their presence.
Younger Branch. Staunton of Wolverton, in this county, settled there
in the eighteenth of Elizabeth; extinct in the last century.
See Dugdale's Warwickshire, vol. ii. p. 665; Thoroton's
Nottinghamshire, p. 157; and for the poetical pedigree of this
house, Ib. p. 159; the monuments at p. 164; see also "Memoirs of the
Life and Family of the late Sir G. L. Staunton, Bart." pr. pr. 8vo.
1833.
ARMS.--_Argent, two chevrons within a border engrailed sable_.
Founded on the coat of Albany Lord of Belvoir, who bore, _Or, two
chevrons and a border gules_. The elder line of Staunton sometimes
omitted the border; see the tombs in the church of Staunton.
Present Representative, John Staunton, Esq.