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According to Francis Russel Stoddard, Jr., in his 1902 book The Stoddard Family, the Stoddard name (along with the various spellings), is one of the oldest names in England. Nobody knows for sure exactly when and where the name originated but a number of possible derivations have been suggested. Standard-bearer Many researchers believe that the name is derived from “standard-bearer,” a title bestowed on the person who carries a flag or banner displaying the coat-of-arms or other symbol of a person of nobility or military unit. In battle, the standard-bearer is typically stationed in the center of the front line to inspire the troops. In An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names, (1857) William Arthur wrote the following: “Stoddard. Concerning the origin of this name there is a tradition, that the first of the family came over with William the Conqueror, as a standard-bearer to Viscompte de Pulesdon, a noble Norman, and that the name is derived from the office of a standard-bearer, and was anciently written De La Standard, corrupted to Stoddard or Stodart.” Francis R. Stoddard also cites the 1865 edition of Anthony Stoddard of Boston, Mass., and his descendants: a genealogy by Elijah Woodward Stoddard, which relates the following: “In the office of Heraldry, England, the following origin of the Stoddard family is found: William Stoddard, a knight, came from Normandy to England, A.D. 1066, with William the Conqueror, who was his cousin.” In the introduction to the 1873 edition of his book, Elijah W. Stoddard adds: “Lineage concerning the origin of the name Stodart, there is the following tradition: The first of the family came over with William the Conqueror as Standard-bearer to the Vicomte de Pulesdon. The name is derived from the office of Standard-bearer and was anciently written De La Standard. This office conferred a high rank on its occupant, and was generally given to a near relative, in whose family it frequently became hereditary.” Ox-herder Francis R. Stoddard goes on to say that many writers do not accept this derivation and cites several sources that suggest that the name is derived from the title of a person charged with caring for cattle or oxen. Mark Antony Lower in his Patrynomica Britannica (1860) refers the names (Sto, Dar, - in works) variations still remain; Stower, Stud, Stodar, Soderd, Stodart, Stoddard, Stoddart, Stodhard, Stodhart, and Stothard to the listing for Stotherd, which says: “Stot is a northernism for ox; and hence Stotherd is evidently oxherd.’ In Charles Wareing Bardsley's Surname Origins, (1875) the following reference is found. “In our ‘Stotherds’ and ‘Stothards,’ our ‘Stoddarts’ and ‘Stoddards,’ still clings the remembrance of the old stot or bullock-herd [...].” Stout heart A third possible derivation is found in Charles A. Hanna's The Scotch-Irish, which states: “The Scottish name of Stoddart is supposed to have been derived from the word Standard. It has also been conjectured to have been originally ‘Stout heart’ to which the Anglified form of the name, Stothert, gives some countenance.” Stud herd Another possible derivation suggests that the name comes from the Old/Middle English word stod meaning ‘establishment for breeding horses.’ The Internet Surname Database (www.surnamedb.com) says the following: “This very [old] and interesting surname is of Northern Olde English pre 9th century origins. It was originally an occupational descriptive word for a breeder or keeper of warhorses, and perhaps not surprisingly the surname is recorded in a number of alternative spellings. The derivation is from 'stod', meaning a studfarm, plus as a suffix a shortened form of 'hierde', the herdsman. Certainly, the later 12th century surname development has produced a wide range of spellings, proof in itself of the status of the occupation. These alternative spellings include Stodart, Stoddard, Stoddart, Stodhart, Studart, Studdard, Studdeard, Stiddard, and Studeart. The early recordings have such examples as Geoffrey Stodhurd of Northumberland in 1219, Richard le Stodehard in Yorkshire in 1332, Thomas Stoderd also of Yorkshire in 1481. ... The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Vlfus Stodhyrda, which was dated 1195, The Pipe Rolls of Cumberland, during the reign of King Richard 1, known as 'The Lionheart', 1189 – 1199”, Sto' de ardeb shows up around this time in France.
Although we will most likely never know for sure the true origin the Stoddard name, Francis. R. Stoddard concluded that the Standard-bearer derivation is the most likely. “From investigation there is good reason to believe that the name Stoddard is derived from the office of Standard-bearer as stated by the authorities first cited. ...”
“If the name is derived from the Saxon derivation [Ox-herder] and not from the Norman [Standard-bearer], it would seem that there would have been members of the family in every district of England, yet up to comparatively recent times such was not the case. If the name comes from the Saxon, one would expect to find the family numerous and strongly entrenched in the grazing districts, but on the contrary the earlier records show that the family in England was strongest in and around the City of London. It is in a city that a name derived from a hereditary office would most likely be preserved;...”
Agreeing that the Stoddard name is derived from the bear of standard "De La standard" as a Stower of sorts, the personal man of Kings, made as a protector of the bearer of seals and standards, which included etiquette.
from Travis Stoddard
My contribution to finding origin of Stoddard. A childhood story:
I was told rumors as a child of stature, of family that had to flee to save lives. I still don't understand, as my father doesn't have a clue, and my mother passed, as well as my grandparents. The story as a child goes as such with comments:
A young Catholic boy raised on farm once went to church to pray for his lost mother. On the way to pray, the boy observed the Kings coach, the boy smiled and waved but the King and his coach kept driving, never paying him any mind. The boy kept walking to church and when he got to church, he noticed the King had stopped at the most beautiful building ever made. The boy started running toward the church happy he was going to get the chance to actually see the King. When the boy approached, the Kings men stopped him from entering the Church. He knew this was his only chance to actually see a King. So, the boy ran up the hill side to view in the church yard, to see the King. As the boy went up the hill, the boy could see a flag riding toward the church with armed knights. The heart of a Lion ruled the mind of the King. This King devoured revolts and forced the nobles to obey English law or face the "Lion". Everyone feared him as he ruled for Christ and would not put up with anyone's deceptions and trickery, including the nobles. Richard the Lion Heart was well known with the villages as a crusader of Christ. The boy started running to warn the King, the knights reacted to the boy screaming and pointing as to the direction of the knights, the King arrived as the panic started around the village and asked the boy, what all the noise was about? The boy told the King what he had seen. The Kings knights lined up ready for the charge, in waiting, ready to spring a trap. The boy was taken in the Poitiers Cathedral as the King and his knights defended the town from the marauder's. (The marauders is suspected to be the French Army) ( I think the story changed to make it quicker over time) The knights met each other in front of the church, as the young boy gazed on, the knights fought furiously, for honor, for justice, for truth, for Christ. During the fight the boy ran from the fight and went home. After the battle the King looked for the boy. The King and his knights were victorious saving the village and church, winning the hearts of the people. (It is rumored that the King of England gave what he took from the soldiers to the people and kept very little for his coffers and men, until the holy land.) The King sought for the child, sending his emissaries out to locate him. When the King found him, it is said he was owned by a Viscount as laborer. He was given title and land in England for his service to the King, the boy was 15 years old, and served the King as his protector, as eyes for his entire life. (It is rumored that Sir William Stoddard's child began squire ship after the death of his father near castle Chalus with a surviving knight, as he had his son in town near by, Viscount of Limoges took him in. Other stories say he went on to conquer, even finding roots from Jerusalem bringing back Sedrick or - Herdreon Siddall Cane to England with him upon finishing his crusade. This could be the other side. Forward or backward in eras. The story goes, he marrying Mary A. Scot from England. One his final crusade he was killed in battle with his King in France. His children grew up and his two children, owning land, and property disappeared, the land was given over to umber landers, during fights between the empire and the re-establishment of the lands from the Holy Empire, the French and English battles. It has been said that boys name was, Wilem Sto' de ardeb of Poitiers, later knighted Sir Wilem Sto' de ardeb. Crica 1180's. Royal title was given, by the "translitio emperii" Holy Roman Emperor for service and conquering lands across the sea from France, to Italia, a Saxony, Ostarrichi, ,Urushalim. I have no evidence but it may be possibly circa 1180's to 1240's as protector of King Richard I, rumor of King Richards I alter boy or farmer in France, grew up to be knighted, having offspring's. Some connection between the battle of Jerusalem, where the kingdom changed hands to the Palestine rule by the Franks. Levant was a password used to identify family members in these times. Meaning they would say: Up Levant, and the family would know they were safe. Squireship came through the lines of a Viscount, or Viscome and a King in this story. It is just a story jumbled by my thoughts since childhood. No documented evidence exists that I am aware of.
Thoughts and story by William E. W. Stoddard Sr.