Registers of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures 1710-1811 [The National Archives]
Stamp duty became payable on apprenticeships from a statute passed in 1710 and a central register was kept.  Before that, the contact was just a private transaction between the master and the parents. The original PRO records, from which this index has been created,  have been filmed by the Church of Latter Day Saints. However, they contain little more detail than the indexes.

Also includes additional information from the online indexes available through the Society of Genealogists (London). This SOG index covers the period 1710-1811 but is not yet complete (it includes volumes 1-7,9-14,16,34 of the printed volumes and piece numbers 28-29,31-34 and 59-66 on film). Further surnames and years will be added as the work progresses over the next few years by volunteers from the Society of Genealogists. Now on Ancestry.com

London

The following indexes of London Apprenticeship records have been searched without finding any Sterrys:
Brewers' 1531-1685, Cutlers, 1442-1448, 1565-1800, Plaisterers' 1599-1662, 1698-1800, Apothecaries' 1617-1669, Wax Chandlers' 1666-1800, Brown Bakers' 1615-1646, Carmens' 1668, 1678-1800, Farriers; 1619-1800, Masons' 1663-1805, Cooks' 1654-180, Ironmongers' 1655-1800, Dyers' 1706-1746, Armourers' and Brasiers' 1610-1800, Coachmakers; and Coach Harness Makers' 1677-1800, Founders' 1643-1800, Paviors' 1568-1800, Upholders' 1704-1772, Poulters' 1691-1729, 1754-1800, Innholders 1642-1643, 1654-1670, 1673-1800, Makers of Playing Cards 1675-1760, Musicians 1765-1800, Saddlers 1657-1666, 1800, Tobaccopipemakers 1800, Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers 1693-1837, Spectaclemakers 1666-1800, Loriners 1722-1731, 1759-1800, Patternmakers 1673-1805, Distillers 1659-1811, Basketmakers 1639-1824, Needlemakers 1664-1801 and Pinmakers 1691-1723, Gunmakers 1656-1800, Glaziers 1694-1800, Broderers' 1679-1713, 1763-1800, Combmakers 1744-1750, Fanmakers 1775-1805, Frameworkknitters 1724-1730, Fruiterers 1750-1815, Gardeners 1764-1850 and Horners 1731-1800, Glass-Sellers 1664-1812 and Woolmens 1665-1828, Glovers 1675-1679, 1735-1748, 1766-1804, Bowyers 1680-1806 and Fletchers 1739-1754, 1764-1808, Longbowstringmakers 1604-1668, 1709, 1714-1717, Tylers and Bricklayers 1612-1644, 1668-1800, Brewers 1685-1800, Painters 1655-1805, Pewterers 1611-1800, Turners 1596-1800

Thames Watermen & Lightermen Bindings 1692-1908

Notes: A waterman is a person who navigates a boat carrying paying passengers. These boats would have been some form of row boat, sometimes with sails. This service was very much in demand in early times as the river was a most important artery through London and the highways were in a very poor state and horse drawn transport slow. Prior to the nineteen century there were not many bridges over the Thames. The Waterman's Company dates from 1555 and in 1585 were granted their own coat of arms by Queen Elizabeth I.  Lightermen carried goods on the river in a lighter or barge.  In 1700 they were amalgamated with the watermen to form the Company of Watermen and Lightermen.

Originally boys were bound to a Master who was a Freeman of The Company for a period of between five and seven years. Records of these Apprenticeship Bindings were kept from 1688 to 1884 and have been deposited at the Guildhall Library in London. The Binding Books have been microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah (Mormons). If no date is shown in the fifth column above it means that the boy never gained his freedom of the Court and this was the case for over half of all boys bound. Failure could be for various reasons, perhaps the boy did not satisfy the Court of his worthiness or his Master was not satisfied with his competence, or the boy or his Master may have died or as happened on frequent occasions the Company was charged with the task of providing large numbers of men for pressed service into the Navy and men and boys were drafted. Having found names of interest in the Apprenticeship Bindings, one should consult the series of six Affidavit Books which cover the years 1759-1897 and add detail about date of birth of apprentice and place of baptism. The Watermen and Lightermen were close knit communities and fathers apprenticed sons or nephews; brother apprenticed brother; sons of Watermen often married daughters of Watermen. (From notes provided by Society of Australian Genealogists, Sydney, NSW, Australia)

Tinplateworkers' Company 1666, 1668, 1676, 1681, 1683-1800
 
STEREY Joseph s. Joseph, Streatham, Sry, cooper to John WEST (snr) 1 Jan 1688/89
SALTER Nicholas s. Nicholas, Taunton, Som. to Joseph STERRY 1 May 1702
STERREY Wasey s. Thomas, St Olave Southwark, Surrey, tallow chandler to Joseph STERREY 8 Jan 1716/17
STERREY Samuel s. Thomas, Southwark, Surrey, tallow chandler to Joseph STERREY 1 May 1721
MILES Turner s. William, Watton, Hrt, gentleman to Richard LEA 1 Aug 1721 to 1 ___(?) 1725 master (dead) turned over to Joseph STERREY (jnr)
MILLIS William s. Michael, Newbury, Berkshire, clothworker to Henry STERRY 22 Aug 1729
COOPER James s. Joseph, citizen and tallow chandler to Henry STERRY 17 Mar 1736/37 to 1 May 1739 turned over to John HAGGARD
VANDEWALL Daniel s. Joseph, citizen and draper to Henry STERRY 8 Jan 1739/40 to 1 May 1744 master (dead) turned over to William MILLIS

Plumbers' Company 1571-1800

STERREY William s. George, St Mary Overy, Southwark, Surrey, blacksmith to Stephen ____(?), 3 Apr 1684
STERRY Robert s. Robert, Christchurch, Southwark, Surrey, shipwright (dead) to William STERRY 25 Apr 1705

Curriers' Company 1628-1800

STERRY Henry s. Henry, Snow Hill (St Sepulchre). London, tinplate worker (dead) to George JARVIS 28 Aug 1746 (free)
BIRCH Richard s. William, Knockin, Sal., farmer (dead) to Henry STERRY 20 Feb 1761
GOODCHILD William s. Robert, Thames Ditton, Surrey, husbandman to Henry STERRY 2 May 1764
HORNE Benjamin s. Benjamin, Rotherhithe, Surrey, merchant to Henry STERRY 21 Feb 1756 (free)
KENNABY John s. John, Croydon, Surrey, labourer to Henry STERRY 24 Jan 1761 (free)

Tallow Chandlers Company 1632-1800

STERRY Thomas, New Apprentice [Place] Tooting Bec, Streatham, Surrey [Father] Joseph, cooper [Master] William Gurney, Tallow Chandler [Apprenticeship Date] 20 Jul 1685 [Year] 1685
[Source: Records of London's Livery Companies Online - Apprentices and Freemen 1400-1900 - http://www.londonroll.org/]

Feltmakers Company 1669-1800

STEARY, George, son of Samuel, Kieper, Durham, leatherdresser to Henry Wetherell, 3 Mar 1745/6, turned over to William Hall, 7 Nov 1748, Feltmakers' Company

Drapers', Roll of

STERRY Peter, New Apprentice [Place] London [Father] Peter Sterry, Yeoman, London [Master] George Juice, Citizen and Draper [Apprenticeship Date] 12 Feb 1689 [Year] 1690 [Bond] 7 years [Approx Date of death] 1703

STERRY Nathaniel, New Apprentice [Place] Worcestershire [Father] George Sterry, Wool Stapler, Worcester, Worcestershire [Master] Nathaniel Newberry, Citizen and Draper [Apprenticeship Date] 26 Jul 1762 [Year] 1762 [Bond] 7 years [Approx Date of death] 1816

STERRY Nathaniel, New Apprentice [Place] Worcestershire [Father] George Sterry, Wool Stapler, Worcester, Worcestershire [Turnover Master] Daniel Vandewall, Citizen and Tinplate worker [Apprenticeship Date] 11 Apr 1763 [Year] 1763

STERRY Nathaniel, New Apprentice [Place] Worcestershire [Father] George Sterry, Wool Stapler, Worcester, Worcestershire [Turnover Master] James Phillips, Citizen and Woolman [Apprenticeship Date] 6 Oct 1768 [Year] 1768

STERRY Nathaniel, New freeman, Draper Co [Father] George Sterry, Wool Stapler [Turnover Master] James Phillips, Citizen and Woolman [Freedom by] Servitude [Date] 18 Jul 1780 [Year] 1780

STERRY Richard, New Apprentice [Place] Surrey [Father] Benjamin Sterry, Oil & Colourman, Laytons Yard Southwark [Master] James Wrench, Seedsman, Citizen and Draper [Apprenticeship Date] 28 Feb or Mar 1799 [Year] 1799 [Bond] 7 years [Approx Date of death] 1864

STERRY Richard, New freeman, Co Draper [Father] Benjamin Sterry, Oil & Colourman, Laytons Yard Southwark, Citizen and Joiner [Freedom by] Servitude [Date] 23 Mar 1807 [Year] 1807

STERRY Alfred, New freeman, Co Draper [Father] Richard Sterry, Citizen and Draper, Witness [Witness] Henry Barrett, Oil Merchant Boro [Freedom by] Patrimony [Date] 27 Jan 1848 [Year] 1848 [Approx Date of Death] 1876
[Source: Records of London's Livery Companies Online - Apprentices and Freemen 1400-1900 - http://www.londonroll.org/]

Mercers' Company

STERRY Christopher, New Apprentice [Father] Peter Sterry, Clerk, Sheen Surrey [Master] John Eaton, Co Mercer [Apprenticeship Year] 1664 [Bond] 7 years

STERRY Peter, New Apprentice [Father] Peter Sterry, Clerk, West Sheene Surrey [Master] Rowland Hill, Co Mercer [Apprenticeship Year] 1662 [Bond] 7 years from 20 July or 12 Sept

STERRY Thomas, New Apprentice [Father] Thomas Sterry, Clerk, Finesham Kent, dead [Master] Thomas Threkeld, Co Mercer [Apprenticeship Year] 1664 [Bond] 7 years from 24 June next [Source: Records of London's Livery Companies Online - Apprentices and Freemen 1400-1900 - http://www.londonroll.org/]

Surrey

COPE Hy s Sar of Wandsworth to Nuce STERRY of Wandsworth 14 Ap 1736 7 years from 2 Mar 1735 4 pounds-4s (24 Apr 1736:144)

CROCKFORD Jas Edw of Wandsworth to Nuce STERRY of Wandsworth carp.; 30 Mar 1748; C.I.C.; 7 years to Mar 1748; 10 pounds. (19 Apr 1749: 178)

Abbreviations Used:
C.I.C. = common indenture and counterpart
s = son of
Sar = Sarah
Hy = Henry
Jas = James
Edw = Edward

[Source: Index of Surrey Apprentices 1731 - 1749, West Surrey Family History Society]

Norfolk

Great Yarmouth Apprenticeship Indentures 1563-1665 (NFHS)
No Sterrys

Note: A bound apprentice could be freed by years of service or patrimony ie father was a member of the guild

Bristol, Gloucestershire

Bristol Apprenticeship Books Vol 1(a) to 1(n) 1532-1724 [Bristol and Avon Family History Society]

Date	Apprentice's Name	Father of Apprentice	Father's Trade	Father's Abode	Master's Name	Master's Trade	Wife Forename	Other	Vol/ Pg/ No
1537 Sep 15	Thomas Adeane	James	Husbandman	Lydney Gls	Thomas Sturry	Ship Carpenter	Marion		1A/102/1
1550 Aug 4	Simon Stirry	John (decd.)	Smith	Ruardean Gls	Clement Craddock	Whittawer	Elizabeth	For 8 years App to have at end 26/8 f 4/6 etc.	1A/460/6
#1599 Oct 12	John Stirrye	Henry		Ruardean Gls	John Guy	Merchant	Ann	10 years	1C/103/2
#1604 Oct 25	James Stirry	Peter (decd.)		Ruardean Gls	John Clement	Sail Maker	Joan		1C/174/9
#1613 Apr 14	John Sled	Edward (decd.)	Yeoman	Minsterworth Gls	James Stirry	Sail Maker	Joan		1D/63/4
#1619 Mar 27	Richard Smarte	Anthony	Husbandman	Ruardean Gls	James Stirry	Sail Maker	Joan		1D/193/9
#1622 Jan 26	James Dennis	James (decd')	Mariner	Bristol	James Stirry	Sail Maker	Joan		1D/254/9
#1624 Feb 2	Lancelot Tyzon	Peter (decd.)	Mariner	Bristol	James Stirry	Sail Maker	Joan		1D/304/2
#1626 Jul 27	Thomas Longe	George	Yeoman	Ruardean Gls	James Storry	Sail Maker	Joan		1E/10/7
#1627 Sep 26	John Imme	John (decd.)	Husbandman	Ruardean Gls	James Stirry	Sail Maker	Joan		1E/49/10
#1628 Aug 12	John Kinge	George	Shoe Maker	Kempley Gls	James Stirry	Sail Maker	Joan		1E/80/5
#1629 Jul 3	Edmond Winkell	John (decd.)	Yeoman	Longhope Gls	James Stirry	Sail Maker	Joan		1E/112/6
#1631 Nov 17	Anthony Sterry	John (decd.) [sic-his father was James]	Sail Maker	Bristol	Lancelot Hudson	Shipwright	Anne		1E/198/8
#1632 Nov 14	William Witherlie	Walter	Yoeman	Bristol	Joan Stirrie	Sail Maker			1E/222.2/3
#1633 Mar 12	Jonathan Elver	William	Linen Weaver	Cocker [West Coker] Som	James Skerry	Sail Maker	Grace		1E/231/5
#1636 Jun 10	Samuel Pate	Edward (decd.)	Baize Weaver	Bristol	James Sterry	Sail Maker	Grace	Deleted	1E/340/4
1637 Jan 17	John Sterry	John	Merchant	St Ives Con	Richard Bond	Mariner	Margaret		1F/355/5
#1641 Dec 30	Thomas Naish	Henry	Labourer	Bristol	James Sterrie	Sail Maker	Grace		1G/35/3
#1642 Oct 29	Richard Tillatt	Richard (decd.)	Weaver	Bristol	James Sterry	Sail Maker	Grace		1G/55/8
#1648 Aug 29	Derritius Caech	William (decd.)	Surgeon	Bristol	James Sterry	Sail Maker	Grace		16/180/2
1664 Dec 10	? Reece	William			James Sterrey			Nevis 5 years	11/23/1
1664 Dec 31	David Gaines	?			James Sterry			Nevis 4 years	11/27/9
#1670 May 9	James James	Michael	Planter	Barbados	William Sterry	Mariner	Charity		1K/4/7
#1681 Feb 21	Thomas Sterry	Thomas (decd.)	Mariner	Bristol	Robert Carter	House Carpenter	Bridget		1K/257/3
#1684 Jun 5	Willliam Raymond	Lawrence (decd.)	Linen Draper	Bristol	William Sterry	Mariner	Charity		1K/316/4

Legend:
# = Ruardean, Gloucestershire, UK line
+ = Longhope, Gloucestershire, UK line