Thomas was born in Elford, Staffordshire, his parents were Sir John Stanley and Isabel Lathom. Thomas married twice, his first wife was Maud or Matilda Arderne, daughter of Sir John Arderne, with whom he had three children. This marriage brought him the manors of Elford and Pipe in Stafforshire and properties in Cheshire. His second wife was Elizabeth Langton, daughter of Sir Ralph Langton, with whom he had one child. On his death he was buried within Elford Church in Staffordshire, together with his second wife Elizabeth.
In 1411 he bought a house in Lichfield, Staffordshire. In 1414 he was fined £60 (a large sum in those days), for supporting the Erdeswicke family in a feud. In 1425 Thomas and his first wife Maud, sued Isabel de Berkeley for "waste and destruction" at Okley in Staffordshire. Isabel had a life interest in the property, which was due to pass to Maud on her death.
Thomas took part in Henry V's wars in France. He was at Calais in 1416, serving under Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick. In 1420 he fought in Normandy.
Thomas was Sheriff of Warwickshire and Leicestershire in 1427-28 and Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1433-44 and 1438-39. He was Commissioner of Array for Staffordshire in 1436.
In 1438, Thomas was given exemption for life, from serving on juries and inquisitions, being Sheriff and Escheator or holding any other offices of the King. Despite this, in 1441 he was among those commanded to suppress riots and disorders in Staffordshire. In 1442 he faced a riot in LIchfield, Staffordshire.
