In searching for the surname origin of STOVELL I have noted the links to Stovold, Stoffold, Stovel and Stovall on other websites. In the 1841-1881 British census records the various surname derivations tend to be located mainly around the Surrey, Sussex and Middlesex areas suggesting that many of the families probably had very early ties.
Further research on Google Books which has records from very early sources also indicated that the surnames may have originally derived from the OE ( Old English) STODFALD or 'a stud -fold' - paddock or enclosure for horses- stod = a stud of horses and OE - fald or fold.
There are accounts on the Domesday Book 1086 of land or 'hundred of stodfald' in areas including Bedford, Berkshire and Middlesex. The location of Stotfold and Stoffold also derives from the same meaning.
Phillip