The Origin of the name 'Port Stanley'

By Jane Cameron, Government Archivist
August 2004

It is clear from Government Despatches that 'Port' was not originally envisaged as part of the name.  On November 27, 1844 Governor Moody wrote to Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies: 

"In depatch No.30 dated 3rd May 1844 I requested that the town might receive the name of Stanley and I have taken the liberty of directing that the name be placed on the plan."  

However, it appears that the name 'Port Stanley' rapidly came into common use.  Far from being introduced by the British troops in World War II, there are examples of it, even in official documents, from an early date.  

Volume One of the Land Registers, for instance, records a transaction between the Corporation of the Falkland Islands Company and "Robert Hardy of Port Stanley, East Falkland Island" dated October 8, 1856.  

So both names have validity, one sanctioned by official decree, the other by time and custom.

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