What's new ?
The latest edition of the Stanley Roots research-project on The Origins of Stanleys in England, 1100-1700 now includes:
The old myth that all Stanleys were related is no longer tenable in the 21st century, now that DNA testing is available to prove whether or not males of the same surname are related. The Stanley Surname DNA Project in the USA has now tested the DNA of over 50 male Stanleys. Nell Stanley, one of the operators of the Stanley Surname DNA research project, has confirmed that the findings of the DNA tests prove the diverse origins of the surname Stanley in ethnic terms (in separate parts of England), as explained in detail in this website. Both DNA testing, and the huge volume of place-name and archive evidence detailed on this website, demonstrate this diversity quickly and conclusively. Two of Nell Stanley's first three participants had claimed to be descended from the Earls of Derby. In Nell's words, "None have been related within thousands of years. In fact, all three are in different haplogroups, I1b, R1b, and J2", indicating diverse ethnic origins around England. The reasons for this are simple: different Stanley place-names are spread out around England, and different Stanleys will therefore be descended from different tribes of Anglo-Saxon settlers, coming from different parts of Germany and Scandinavia from around 500 A.D. onwards (or from earlier settlers such as Celts, or later settlers such as Danes). Subsequent DNA tests on other participants have also shown diverse types of unrelated DNA. However, the tests have also shown some Stanleys, who did not previously know that they were related, to be cousins.
Are you related to any Stanleys, and if so, to which ones ? Now is the time to find out for sure and to end those doubts, by taking the DNA test. To find out about or take part in Stanley Surname DNA research, and to view the project's test-results so far in more detail, visit The Stanley Surname DNA Project at
Please visit again if you are interested - and please feel free to contact me about Stanley research using the Links and contacts page.