This is a surname of confused nationality. It may be English but with French origins, English with German origins, or German or French and Flemish. Recorded in many spellings including Stamp, Stamps, Stemp, Stempe (English), Etampe, Etampes, Stampe (French & Flemish), Stamp, Stampf, Stamper, Stampfer, and compounds such as Stamfenbach and Stampfhart (German), the origins are equally confusing. The name may be locational and originate from the French village of Etampes in the department of Seine-et-Oise in Normandy, and this is certainly the origin for many English and French name holders. However in all cases the surname may also be occupational for a coiner or moneyer, one who used dies to stamp out coins. In ancient times the striking of money was often a local affair, with many places throughout Europe being licenced to produce money. Early examples of ther surname recording include Heinrich Stamph of Reutlingen, Germany in 1279, Johannes Stampfer of Baden, in the charters of that city in 1471, and Ann Stempe who married Moses Elliott on July 16th 1577, by civil licence in London. Allen Stampe was christened at St. Giles Cripplegate in 1664; and Lydia Stamp married William Davis on August 4th 1694, at St. James Church, Dukes Place, Westminster. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John de Stampes of Etampes in France. This was dated 1191, in the Pipe Rolls of the city of London during the reign of King Richard 1st known as "The Lionheart", 1189 - 1199. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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