 The son of one Stephen de Exeter (dead by 1280) and his wife Johanna (alive 1280), Sir Stepehen was member of the de Exeter family of Meath and Connacht in Ireland.Prominent members of the name included Jordan de Exeter, Jordan Óge de Exeter and Sir Richard de Exeter, though the exact relationship between the differing branches remains obscure.De Exeter and his mother filed a suit against one R. Fleming at Dublin in 1280.