Historian Henry Chetwynd-Stapylton (quoting Samuel Johnson) states in 1884 that the first part of the name, 'staple', originated from the word 'stapel' meaning a trading position or a place where goods for sale are stored.

[2] Another theory, however, puts forward that 'staple' originates from the old English word 'stapol' meaning boundary, which is also plausible given the villages past as a major river crossing.

In the 13th century the 'de Stapleton' family gave some lands around the village to the nearby Premonstratensian monks of Easby Abbey and in so doing forgoing the obligation to maintain a ferryboat across the river.

However, local speculation suggests that the site of the manor is located in 'Garth Field', the irregularity of the land being the last remnants of a defensive moat or pond.

The village also lies within the Richmond Constituency, represented since 2015 by Conservative Party Member of Parliament and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

[8] A notable feature of the nearby landscape is a prominent low escarpment, known as the 'Monkend Hills', which stretch from Croft to the east (taking their name from Monkend Hall) across to Manfield in west.