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Harlaston is a fairly simple name to define. It is of Saxon origin and comes from 'Heoruwulf's farmstead'. Unlike so many personal names Heoruwulf is certain, owing to the early records as Heorelfstun, Horulvestone and Herlaueston. The hamlet is centred on a local church, St Matthew's. Opposite stands the Manor House; the current builing dates from 1690, and gave its name to Manor Lane. As with many similar inn names the White Lion recalls, in part, a badge, in this case that of a former owner of Tamworth Castle. Source 'Staffordshire Place Names. A. Poulton-Smith
Harlaston is steeped in history. Here we have captured, and continue to capture the village life through historical research, photos and first-hand memories.
Click here to read a book published to commemorate the centenary of St Matthew's Church Harlaston published in 1983.
Along with much of South East Staffordshire, Harlaston goes back well before 1066. Its importance was no doubt enhanced to some extent because of the existence of a Corn Mill, as recorded in the Doomsday Book, although it is realised that the Mill is mentioned therein due to the fact that Mills were on of the main items ordered to be taken into account in the Census which was taken on the orders from William the Conqueror. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that farmers from quite a wide area brought their grain to Harlaston to be milled.
Harlaston was mentioned in the Doomsday book as "Horulvestone" (meaning farmstead of a man named Heoruwulf). In 1066 Harlaston was owned by Lord Algar. By 1086 the settlement included 23 households which was a very large settlement for the time.
From the Doomsday Book:-
“Harlaston (Latin Horvlevestone) – In Offlow Hundred
4 Hides. Land for Ploughs. In Lordship 2.
16 Villagers and 5 smallholders have 4 ploughs.
A Mill at 4s: 2 Slaves: The value was and is £6:
Earl Algar held these: 4 Manors”
It is interesting to note that in the Doomsday Book the value of Birmingham is put 20s
William I confiscated the lands of Count Algar and later handed his Staffordshire Lands to the De Ferrers of Derby.
The first local Lord of Harlaston was Gilbertus Franceys. In 1157 Walter Vernon is recorded as the Lord of the Manor. He was a collateral relative of the Vernons wo were to live at Sudbury Hill near Uttoxeter.
In 1603 the Manor of Harlaston was sold by Sir Edward Standby to Sir Edward Brabazon of Nether Whitacre, High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1606.
According to Lichfield District Council Conservation Area Appraisal Management Plan 2012, "there are the remains of a moat immediately to the north-west of the Church surrounding the Churchside Development. This represents the remains of a medieval moated manor site which would have been built during the 12th and 13th centuries period and occupied by the Lord of the Manor. ....The water-filled moat protected the homes of wealthy families and also served as a status symbol. " The moat is now silted up.
There is some information on the history of Harlaston on the Wikipedia web site.
Taken from A Survey and Analysis of the Place-Names of Staffordshire
David Horovitz LLB
Old Map of Harlaston and district circa 1884
Old Map of Harlaston and district circa 1884
"HARLASTON is a village, township, and chapelry, pleasantly seated on an eminence, on the south bank of the Mease, 4 miles N. of Tamworth, and 2½ miles W. of Clifton Campville. It has 218 inhabitants, and 1400 acres of land. The Rev. Thos. Levett, of Packington, and Mr. John Nevill, of Wigginton, are joint lords of the manor; but most of the soil belongs to several other proprietors, one of whom is Sir Francis Burdett, and another the Dowager Countess Chetwynd. The chapel is an ancient building, with a low wooden spire. The nave was rebuilt and new-pewed about six years ago. The curacy is annexed to the mother church."
(William White (1834) History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Staffordshire and the City and County.)
Buildings in and around Harlaston
Click here for more information
If you are interested in a particular timeframe in history please click the links to find relevant newspaper articles, photographs or memories.
Pre World War 1 World wars 1 and 2 1950's and 60's 1970's and 80's Nineties and Noughties, C21
Click here to find out about people linked to or living in Harlaston
National events to celebrate special occasions
Coronation 1953 Coronation 2023
Silver Jubilee Millennium Celebrations
Platinum Jubilee
Linked are articles from the Tamworth Herald or other news publication where people from Harlaston are directly involved.
We have captured first-hand memories of some of our residents. Through their stories and photos we hope you will get a feel for life in Harlaston throughout the years and how much it has changed. A nostalgic look at village life that isn’t captured anywhere else and will ensure that the knowledge is preserved for current and future villagers and visitors will have access to enjoy for now and in the future
Or if you would like to know about past clubs, groups or societies click here
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