The Styles family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name is derived from the Old English "stigol", meaning "stile, steep ascent", and refers to a "dweller by the stile". The first record of the Styles family appears in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England. The earliest known bearer of the name was Reginald atte Stighel, who was recorded in the Assize Rolls of 1227.

Variations in the spelling of the surname include Stiles, Styals, Styles, Style, Stoyle, Steggle, Steagall, Stegall, and Stygal, and these variations in spelling occurred even between father and son. Many social and political factors effected the spelling of surnames. For instance the use of Latin and French as official court languages influenced the way in which names were recorded.

The 16th, 17th and 18th centuries in England were a time of social and economic restructuring. Conflicts between different sects of the church and between parliament and the king created a period of instability during which many families migrated voluntarily or involuntarily to Ireland or to the colonies. Protestant settlers were granted lands in Ireland which were confiscated for political and religious reasons. Other families migrated to work in the industries which were developing in Ireland. The distinguished Styles family settled in County Wexford, Ireland.

The Graham family name also has Anglo-Saxon origins. It is a habitational name, derived from the town of Grantham in the county of Lincolnshire, England, and as such recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as both Graham and Grandham.

Graham / Gran(d)ham / Gran(t)ham: King's land, and Colegrim, Ivo, and Ernuin the priest from the king. Church, 4 mills, 111 burgesses.

The translation is either the homestead (ham) on the gravel from the Olde English pre 7th century grand, meaning gravel, or perhaps the personal name "Granta" and hence Granta's homestead. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de Graham, which was dated 1127, in the Foundation Charter of Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh, during the reign of King David 1st of Scotland, 1124 - 1153.

William de Graham, who was an English Baron and famous soldier, settled in Scotland in the early 12th century. He was given the baronies of Dalkeith and Lothian, south of Edinburgh. Years later, the 'de' was dropped and thus the surname became Graham. From this family came all of the future Grahams who comprised the "Great Historic Family of Grahams" in Scotland, the Grahams of Montrose and Monteith being the most prominent.