STYLES Family History

This interesting name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has two possible sources, both of which are topographical. The first is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century "stigol" a steep ascent, from "stigan", to climb. The second source is from the Olde English "stigel", a stile; in both cases the name was given to a person who lived near these places. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names.