The earliest known ancester of the name - Stern, Starns, Sternes, Stearnes - was Henry Stern, who lived in the time of Edward the First (1272 to 1307). George's father's name may have been Paul Stern from a letter settling Paul's estate dated 1772 to George Stern. Paul was a cooper by trade, late of Lower Chichester, then in Chester County, PA. George inherited his father in law's homestead at the north end of Kennet Pike (that of William West's.)
