This is a transposed variant spelling of the medieval English job descriptive metonymic "Sterling" - used to denote an honest trader, banker or one who demonstrated "Sterling" qualities. The name development derives from the Olde English "Esterlin", an early, Norman penny being confusingly called a "Starling" although this seems to have been referred to as "Sterling". The name development includes Edward Sterlinge of Endfield 91654), the first apparent recording as Sterland being Charles James Sterland, christened at St. Lukes Church, Old Street, London on August 24th 1851. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Nicholas Sterlinge. which was dated 1606, married Mary Emsley at St. Dunstans, London. during the reign of King James 1, of England and V1 of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.