Thomas Cox in his Compleat History of Wiltshire, circa 1730, in his chapter on the Hundred of Mere, wrote:
Stourton, so named from its situation on the River Stour, which riseth here out of six Fountains; as much as to say, a Town on Stour.
It has given a Name to an ancient Family of Gentry in this County, diverse of which being Lords of it, and residing there, bore considerable Offices in the State; for John de Stourton was High Sheriff for Dorset and Somerset Shires 1 Rich. II.
William de Stourton, who married Elizabeth, the only Daughter and Heir of Sir John le Moyne or Monke, and was much enriched by her Inheritance, was Knight of the Shire for this County, in the Reign of King Hen. V.
His Son and Heir, John de Stourton, who was knighted 8 Hen. VI. having served that King in his Wars with France, was twice Sheriff of this County in his Reign, viz. Annis 12 and 16. In the 19th Year of the same King, he obtained a Grant of him for diverse Deer-leaps in his Park at Stourton; as also for Free Warren in all his Demesne Lands and Woods there; and likewise for a Fair there yearly.
In the 26th of the same Reign, he was, in Consideration of his faithful Services performed to himself and Father, created by that King Baron Stourton of Stourton.
He died possessed of this Lordship and Estate 2 Edward IV. leaving Sir John Stourton his Son and Heir. He died 2 Rich. 13. and was succeeded by his Son and Heir William; who by his Testament, bearing Date 14 Hen. VIII. 1522, bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin, within the Church of St. Peter at Stourton.
His Son William succeeded him; and dying soon after without Issue, left his Honour and Estate to Edward his Brother; who 27 Hen. VIII. bequeathed his Body to be buried in the North Isle of this Parish Church, in a Chapel of which some other of his Descendants were buried.
This Family is still in Being, Edward Lord Stourton at present enjoying that Honour. Their Arms are, Between six Fountains proper a Bend, Or in a Field Sable; and the Crest to them is, A Demi-Monk with a (penitential) Whip in his Hand.
Of this Family, there lately died at Turin in Savoy, Mr. Stourton, a Knight of the Order of St. Laurence and St. Maurice, a Gentleman of great Worth, who was Master of the Horse to the Princess Louisa of Savoy, and Governor of the Princes, Maurice, Eugene, and Immanuel de Soissons; and afterwards served under Prince Eugene in the Wars of Hungary and Italy, with great Reputation. He died about Feb. 1724.