Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Stainton' 1166 P 1171–5 CWiii 1333

• Staynton' 1292 Ass 1608 LRMB

• parva Staynton' 1295 Rental

• Staynton by Neubyggyng 1353 Pat

• Staynton Magna juxta Penreth 1450 IpmR

• Mekill Staynton 1487 Ipm

• Litle Stainton 1575 PR

• Staynton magna, Staynton parva 1608 LRMB

• Steinton' 1279 Ass

• Steynton' 1292 ib

• Little Steynton 1323 Ipm

• Staneton 1540 AOMB

• Stanton 1584 FF 1650 ParlSurv

• Maines 1592 PR

• Stainton Mains 1630 ib

• Staynton skars 1589 LRMB

Etymology

In the parish was Maines 1592 PR, Stainton Mains 1630 ib., v. mains, and Staynton skars 1589LRMB , v. skarð .

Although all the numerous medieval spellings show an ei diphthong in the first element, its original form was probably OE  stān, 'stone,' Stain -, Stein - and the like reflecting the Scandinavian dialect of the countryside. v. tūn .