My stars and stockings

Whats the meaning of "My stars and Stockings!" and why it is been used?

It is an expression of surprise. Like, "Oh, my goodness." But I've heard it this way: "My stars and garters!"

I think it started with the simple expression "My stars!" in which "stars" are used in the astrological sense, thus, roughly, "my fate/luck/destiny". This was expanded for a joke into "My stars and garters!" which is a reference to the regalia of the Order of the Garter,Britain's senior order of knighthood - knights of the Order wear a jewelled star on the breast and a gold-embroidered garter round one leg. "The Star and Garter" is a traditional British pub name, so the phrase would come easily to any British working-class person. "Stockings" is a logical change from "garters", with the advantage of providing alliteration. (That said, I've never heard it in Britain; on which side of the Atlantic did you encounter it? (VSD)