The following is a presentation done about the family name by my lovely wife Jane Karin Steggles, (formerly Jane Karin Turnbull):
Hello my name is Jane and I’m a first year social work student.
I’m here today to talk a little bit about something very important to myself, and my family.
Ok lets begin:
Speckles, Steeples, Steels, Staples, Steggless, Seagulls
You may be wondering what all these words have in common?….
Their meanings……….absolutely nothing.
Speckles---perhaps akin to a speckled egg / speckled beer
Steeples---maybe a church spire
Steeles---marbles that children play with, you know? like little ball bearings
Staples---maybe a stationery device
Seagulls---Annoying birds
Of course there are many more explanations for the rest of these words.
However, these are just some of the names I am called, probably on a weekly basis, when people either miss spell or miss pronounce my surname.
STEGGLES
This is the correct spelling and it is pronounced Steggles, not Sruggles, Struddles, Stiggles and any variation there of, etc… the list is infinite I’m sure.
However, whether you love it or hate it it’s one that you will remember because it is just so silly.
I only married in March this year and have already encountered the delights of having such an unusual surname, mostly people laugh or stifle a snigger.
It was because of this I decided to investigate a little further into the History of my new surname.
Well, apparently the name Steggles can be traced back to the Anglo Saxon period, to the time of the Vikings.
My husband would love nothing more than to have me, and everyone else here believe that his ancestors enjoyed a Warrior like existence. Raping and Pillaging their way through Northern Europe, wearing silly hats and way too much fur trimming.
It was only once I had adopted the Steggles surname that he finally confessed to the true meaning of our name.
The Steggles family name has derived from a family of infamous style makers.
These are real style makers, real innovative people.
The Steggles family were way ahead of their time, or so I thought.
Unfortunately it was the wrong style, and my husbands dress sense is testimony to that.
But, oh yes, the Steggles family were infamous Stile makers.
And theres 'Stile'
STILE: - (spelt S T I L E)… n. Steps allowing people, but not animals, to climb over a fence or wall.
You can imagine my disappointment.
However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I have been reliably informed that, for the rough tough Vikings to be able to perform their acts of debauchery, they were required to get from a – b, over fields and terrain full of fences and walls, OBVIOUSLY WITHOUT ANY ANIMALS FOLLOWING.
The Steggles stiles were invaluable; I like to think that my newfound ancestors helped them along their way.
But…the claim to fame doesn’t end there. Not even in this country, but miles away in sunny Australia.
I don’t know if any of you have been to Australia.
It’s not somewhere I’ve been fortunate enough to visit, but if you have, you may have come across my surname in most good super markets, and probably some bad ones!
Steggles frozen chickens, what another fantastic claim to fame.
And in case there were any concerns regarding the Steggles chicken, you’ll be pleased to know there is a Steggles brand Commitment.
No added hormones
Not genetically modified
Barn raised without cages
Quality Assured
Before I conclude, I would just like to mention the many famous Steggles that live a little closer to home.
Jack Steggles: former sports writer for the Daily Express
And finally
Kevin Steggles: who played in the reserve team for West Bromwich Albion (year unknown)
Both of which have played an important roll in making England the country it is today.
So, to summarize my talk with you here today, the Steggles family are obviously of some notoriety, particularly within the world of chicken production and fence conquering.
So, if you ever need to write my surname, please try to spell it correctly!
By Jane Steggles 2003