Welcome to the website of the Vanstone Family This website is intended to offer easy access to data and research sources for any member of the Vanstone clan, along with a means of keeping in touch and sharing information. New to this website! A GEDCOM file of all the Vanstones I have any information on, for you to download and view in your own family tree programme.

Robin would like to hear from any Vanstones in Australia. Contact Robin

History of the Family .

Alas, we have no family crest or coat of arms, but the family is an old one from Devon and Cornwall (not from the Netherlands). Ricardus Fanston was tonsured in 1440 and Frater Henricus Fanston was at Plympton Priory in 1445.

Origins.
Well. The family name is probably derived from a place name. One theory suggests Faunteston in the parish of Shaugh Prior in South Devon (mentioned in 1339),According to J.E Gover in "Place Names of Cornwall", Faunteston derives from an Old French personal name Faunt, aphetic for the French enfant (child). He associates the name with the family of Samson le Enfaunt, a juror of Plympton Hundred in 1249” in the Assize Rolls

However, it is much more likely that the family come from Fonson in the Cornish parish of Warbstow (mentioned in 1284 in the Assize Rolls). The earliest Devon Vanstones, listed in the 16th century, lived in Tetcott, just across the border from Warbstow. For further details, see the story of Stephen Vanstone in the Histories section.

 

Updates to this website

24/11/2011	parts 6 & 7 of History of the Vanstones in New Zealand by Carol Bell. This is now complete
3/2/2012	some amendments to Tree 7 in Family Trees, thanks to Rosalind
26/4/2012	amendments to Tree 10 in Family Trees, thanks to Paul Foord, plus additions to the picture gallery, thanks to Rosalind and Robin
1/5/2012	new GEDCOM file added in Family Trees extra links added in picture gallery and histories, including a fictional contribution by Wilkie Collins!