The Stoughton family had long sat in Parliament for this area.
Stoughton married twice, first to Anne Fleming from London, no recorded children.
His second wife, whom he married on 27 February 1553, was Elizabeth Lewknor of Tangmere, Sussex.
They had two sons, both MPs: his heir Sir Laurence (who represented Guildford) and Adrian (for Haslemere and Chichester), as well as two daughters.
Stoughton was a Member of Parliament for Chichester in March 1553, October 1553, April 1554 and 1563.