The English surname Stanton, also found in Ireland, is an habitational name from any of the extremely numerous places throughout England so called from Old English stan meaning “stone” and  tun meaning “ an enclosure or settlement.”  Most of them are named for their situation on stony ground, but in the case of Stanton Harcourt in Oxfordshire and Stanton Drew in Avon the reference is to the proximity of prehistoric stone monuments. The name was taken to Ireland by early settlers who obtained large estates in County Mayo. Early examples of recordings include Walter de Stanton of Nottinghamshire in 1199; and John de Staunton of Oxfordshire in 1290. Later examples include Robert Staunton of Alcester, on February 6th 1661, and William Staniton and his wife Mary, who were christening witnesses at Leek Wootton, Warwickshire, on July 12th 1858.