Staffordshire

Staffordshire is a ceremonial county in the West Midlands of England. The county consists of eight districts: South Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, East Staffordshire, Tamworth, Stafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the Staffordshire Moorlands, and stretches from Kinver in the south right up to Flash in the north. Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is within the county as well as parts of the National Forest and the Peak District national park.^[1]

Staffordshire, England is bordered by^[1] Cheshire to the northwest, Derbyshire to the east, Leicestershire to the east, Warwickshire to the southeast, West Midlands to the south, Worcestershire to the southwest, and Shropshire, to the west.^[2]

The population of Staffordshire is 886,284 according to mid-2022 population figures published by the Office for National Statistics. Staffordshire's population growth rate between mid-2021 and mid-2022 was 1.0% per year. Staffordshire covers an area of 2,620 square kilometers (1,012 square miles) and has a population density of 338 people per square kilometer (km2), based on the latest population estimates taken in mid-2022.^[3]

According to the latest 2021 census, the population in Staffordshire is predominantly white (94%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 6% of the population.^[3]

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Staffordshire landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractionsStaffordshire landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractions

"Staffordshire is divided into three main land areas:

Northern Hills: These are hilly areas with sandstone and limestone, reaching up to the Peak District. Many hills range from 120 to 250 meters high and are cut by rivers flowing towards the River Trent.
Central Plain: This is a flat area with gentle slopes. It's made of soft rock and has many small rivers flowing into the River Trent.
Southern Plateau: This area is like a high, flat triangle, reaching up to 224 meters at Cannock Chase. It's made of coal and surrounded by sandstone.

Staffordshire sits on the edge of the English highlands, where the lowlands meet the higher ground. This location influences the types of plants found in the county.^[4]

Staffordshire has a long and illustrious industrial history, dating back centuries. While renowned for its 18th-century industrial advancements, industries like pottery, coal mining, gypsum extraction, and glassmaking were already established in the region, some even predating the Middle Ages. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the county's industrial landscape expanded further with the emergence of new sectors such as iron and metalworking, clay production, brewing, salt refining, leather-working, and textile manufacturing. Later, Staffordshire embraced modern industries, including the production of adhesives, heavy machinery, diesel engines, and components for power plants, which complemented its more traditional industries."^[5]

Staffordshire has a diverse agricultural industry that includes dairy, arable, and livestock farming. Staffordshire has half of the dairy units in the West Midlands. The majority of the County Farms Estate's equipped farm units are dairy units. Arable crops make up 31% of the total land use in Staffordshire. The south of the county and around Tamworth and Lichfield are known for market gardening. The Staffordshire Moorlands is known for sheep, while the county also produces pigs, poultry, and beef. The center of the county is known for soft fruit production. Staffordshire produces potatoes and maize, which is used for livestock feed and energy production.^[6]

Staffordshire, England has many parks and areas of natural beauty, including national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and country parks.^[7] The Peak District National Park is the first of Britain’s 15 national parks as it was founded in 1951.Cannock Chase is a National Landscape, is known for its scenery, wildlife, and history. Lud's Church is a natural chasm nestled between two towering walls of colored stone that forms a part of British legend. It is said that notable and legendary figures from British folklore have visited this site, including Robin Hood and Sir Gawain. Drayton Manor Theme Park offers amusement park rides, games, food and a zoo to entertain the entire family. Trentham Estate offers a contemporary revival of historic and famed Italian gardens.

Staffordshire historyStaffordshire history

Ancient High House, Stafford. Completed in 1595, is the largest timber framed town house in England.

Long before recorded history in Staffordshire, prehistoric humans inhabited the region however the oldest sites featured only date to the Iron Age. Evidence of prehistoric times includes Iron Age hill forts and burial mounds, testifying to a settled existence.^[8]

The Romans arrived in Staffordshire during their conquest of Britain in the first century A.D. They established a settlement called Letocetum near present-day Lichfield.^[9] The Romans increased their presence, with roads like Watling Street traversing the county and used by the Romans to build settlements.

Following the Roman withdrawal, Anglo-Saxon tribes, primarily the Angles, migrated to the region. They established a new order, with settlements and kingdoms emerging. The name "Staffordshire" itself may derive from the Anglo-Saxon period and means "ford by a landing place."^[10] Staffordshire was part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia.^[11]

Subsequent to the Norman invasion in 1066, the Middle Ages saw the rise of powerful Norman lords and the establishment of feudal society. Throughout the Middle Ages, Staffordshire remained remote and inaccessible.^[12] Although, Staffordshire did play a role in medieval conflicts, such as the Wars of the Roses.^[13]

The Reformation in Staffordshire brought significant religious and social changes.^[14] The dissolution of monasteries under Henry VIII had a profound impact on the local economy and social structure.^[15] After the Reformation in 16th century England, strongholds of Roman Catholicism persisted in some areas of the county, such as Brewood near Stafford.^[14]

The 17th century was a period of turmoil, with the English Civil Wars dividing the nation. Staffordshire experienced its share of conflict, with varying levels of support for both Royalist and Parliamentarian forces.^[14]

From the 18th century onwards, Staffordshire was one of the pioneer industrial counties of Britain. The discovery of coal and other mineral resources fueled the growth of industries such as pottery, brewing, and ironworking. Josiah Wedgwood, a renowned potter, established his factories in the county, contributing significantly to its industrial prominence.^[5]

The 19th century saw rapid industrial growth, with Staffordshire becoming a major center for manufacturing.^[16] There was an increase in the pottery trade, especially with the United States after the Revolutionary War.^[17] The development of canals and railways facilitated the movement of goods and people, further boosting the economy.^[18] However, industrialization also brought social challenges, including poverty and overcrowding in urban areas.^[12]

The 20th century brought significant social and economic changes. World Wars I and II had a profound impact on the county, with many Staffordshire residents serving in the armed forces. The latter half of the 20th century saw the decline of some traditional industries, but also diversification into new sectors.

Staffordshire parishes and unparished areasStaffordshire parishes and unparished areas

Staffordshire has 195 civil parishes.^[19] The districts of Tamworth and Stoke-on-Trent are fully unparished. Parts of Cannock Chase District and the boroughs of Newcastle under Lyme and Stafford are unparished. These correspond to two separate parts of the former Cannock Urban District, the former municipal boroughs of Stafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Tamworth as well as the former county borough of Stoke-on-Trent.^[20]^[21]

Staffordshire geographyStaffordshire geography

Staffordshire County occupies the upper reaches of the River Trent, England's third longest river, originating on Biddulph Moor near the Cheshire border. The river flows southeastward across the county before establishing a portion of the Derbyshire border. The county exhibits five distinct physiographic regions. The northern moorlands, characterized by gritstone and limestone formations, represent the southern terminus of the Pennines, the prominent upland region of northern England.^[2]

To the south, the northern Staffordshire coalfields, composed of sandstones, clays, and shales interspersed with coal seams, are situated. This region, renowned as the Potteries, is characterized by its industrial heritage. The central agricultural belt, encompassing the county town of Stafford, is distinguished by its sandstone and marl formations. Southeast of this undulating landscape lies Cannock Chase, a barren heathland underlain by pebble strata. This former royal forest attains elevations ranging from 600 to 700 feet (180 to 200 meters). A southern extension of Staffordshire County lies south of Cannock Chase and west of the West Midlands metropolitan county, encompassing the headwaters of the River Stour, a tributary of the River Severn. This region exhibits a blend of fertile agricultural land and suburban development.^[2]

Researching family history in StaffordshireResearching family history in Staffordshire

The Staffordshire County Council has a web page for Heritage and Archives with links to many family history resources. The Family History Directory for Staffordshire Family History also has valuable links to archives and records. StaffordshireLIve has a presentation on "How to trace your family tree for free in Staffordshire." The Staffordshire Record Office has a major selection of family history records and documents. The William Salt Library has an important collection of original documents from 1872.

Ethnicities in StaffordshireEthnicities in Staffordshire

The demographic distribution of the Staffordshire population is as follows:^[3]

According to the latest 2021 census, the population in Staffordshire is predominantly white (93.6%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 6.4% of the population. Asian people were the largest minority group in Staffordshire accounting for 3.3% of the population. 6,889 or 1% of the Staffordshire population are black according to the latest 2021 census. In England more broadly the portion of the population that is white is 81%. 10% are Asian and 4% are Black.

Population by race in Staffordshire, 2021 census:

White - 820,233 people or 93.6%
Asian - 28,910 people or 3.3%
Mixed - 15,288 people or 1.7%
Black - 6,889 people or 0.8%
Other - 4,784 people or 0.5%

Surnames in StaffordshireSurnames in Staffordshire

The demographic distribution of Staffordshire surnames is as follows:^[22]

Surname	Incidence	Frequency
Smith	15,626	1:71
Jones	13,744	1:81
Williams	7,469	1:148
Taylor	7,174	1:154
Johnson	6,190	1:179
Davies	6,185	1:179
Evans	5,854	1:189
Brown	5,796	1:191
Edwards	4,760	1:233
Wright	4,661	1:238

Explore more about English CountiesExplore more about English Counties

MyHeritage has 351 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a huge variety of genealogical historical events that can help you find your ancestors. The MyHeritage Knowledge Base contains helpful information about genealogical research. The Legacy Family Tree Webinars website contains more than 2000 valuable genealogical webinars including over 50 webinars about English research.

References

[:1-1] 1.0 ^1.1 The Staffordshire Story - Staffordshire County Council Newsroom

[:2-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 Staffordshire | England, History, Geography, Map, & Facts | Britannica

[:0-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Staffordshire Demographics | Age, Ethnicity, Religion, Wellbeing

[4] Landscape - Staffordshire County Council

[:3-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Trade and industry Distinctive Staffordshire

[6] A Review of the Agri-food Economy of Staffordshire

[7] List of parks, picnic areas and greenways - Staffordshire County Council

[8] Excavating Staffordshire | The Past

[9] The History of Lichfield, Staffordshire

[10] Stafford - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity

[11] Anglo-Saxon Mercia: some facts and some legends

[:5-12] 12.0 ^12.1 Staffordshire

[13] Battle of Blore Heath

[:4-14] 14.0 ^14.1 ^14.2 Distinctive Staffordshire

[15] The dissolution of the monasteries as illustrated by the suppression of the religious houses of Staffordshire

[16] The Potteries | Ceramics, Pottery, Manufacturing | Britannica

[17] Staffordshire Pottery, Archeology and Anthropology Collections, Library - Wesleyan University

[18] Railways - Staffordshire County Council

[19] Genuki: Staffordshire Towns and Parishes, Staffordshire

[20] Staffordshire Registration District

[21] Nomis - Local Area Report - Abbots Bromley Parish

[22] Most Common Last Names In Staffordshire

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