Surname Stephen - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling History and Building Connections: My iGENEA DNA Test Experience as a Stephen
Recently, the iGENEA DNA test allowed me to discover the cultural roots of my last name, Stephen, linking me to the familial tapestry scattered worldwide. The journey illuminated my heritage, provided unexpected connections, and strengthened my sense of identity.
D. Stephen
read moreStephen: What does the surname Stephen mean?
The last name Stephen is a popular Anglo-Saxon name meaning “Crown”. This surname is derived from the Old French word “esteve” which literally translates to “crown” or “garland”. The name first appears in written records around the 11th century when Norman Conquest was occurring.
The association with a crown or garland of victory is thought to have come from the biblical figure of Stephen, meaning "crowned one", who appears in the New Testament as one of Jesus' twelve disciples. His feast day gives rise to the tradition of the patron saint of England, St. Stephen.
The Stephen name was spread to other countries with the Norman invasion. The Stephens' were recorded in Ireland as early as 1172 when William FitzStephen first arrived there. The Stephen name has been common in Britain since the early Middle Ages but has also become more widespread since the Industrial Revolution. It is now seen in many countries throughout the world, particularly in Australia, the United States, and Canada.
The Stephen name is not only associated with Stephen the disciple and martyr but also with several other notable Stephens through history. Examples include the Victorian Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, the suffragettes Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst, and the British monarchs King Stephen of England and Stephen I of Hungary.
Today the Stephen name is still popular, giving those who bear it an association with a royal history, a patron saint of England, and several notable figures throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisStephen: Where does the name Stephen come from?
The last name Stephen is a surname derived from the Greek name Στέφανος (Stephanos) meaning ‘crown’ or ‘garland’. It is a very common surname throughout the English-speaking world, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. In the United States, it is the 7th most common surname, with approximately 1.2 million people having Stephen as their last name. In the United Kingdom, it is the 23rd most common surname, while in Ireland, it is the 25th most common.
It is most common in the south and midwest regions of the United States. The states of Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia have the highest concentrations of Stephens, with South Carolina rounding out the list at the 50th rank. Other countries with high concentrations of Stephens include Canada, in terms of both citizens and immigrants, Uruguay, and Costa Rica.
The popularity of Stephens has changed through history as families and countries shifted and intermarried. Today, the Stephen surname no longer denotes a connection to a specific religion or grand house. In spite of this, it continues to have a strong presence in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other parts of the English-speaking world.
Variations of the surname Stephen
The surname Stephen is derived from the Late Latin name Stephanus and is associated with many variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants can be considered such as Stephens, Stevens, Stevan, Stevenson, and Stewart.
Other English variants are Steen, Steaven, Stevan, Steving, and Stevons. Spellings can range from Stefano, Stefen, Stephanos, Stephanus, Stevene, and Stevon.
In Spanish, the surname is Esteban and in French it is Étienne. In Italian, the surname has variants Estevan, Stafano, and Stefano.
Variations can also including Polish Stefan, German Stephan, Dutch Stefan, Czech Stefan, Slovakia Stefan, and Serbian Stefan, as well as Danish Steffen, Austrian Stefan, and Hungarian Stefan.
Surnames of the same origin can include Steventon, Stephani, Stephanoff, Steponavich, Stepchinski, Stepnovich, and Steponovich.
Finally, among the many patronymic surnames derived from this name are Stefansson, Stefanovic, Stefanovski, Stefashenko, and Stepanovic.
In total, over 200 variations of the surname Stephen have been documented worldwide.
Famous people with the name Stephen
- Stephen Curry: Professional Basketball Player
- Stephen King: Best Selling Author
- Stephen Colbert: Comedian and Television Host
- Stephen Fry: Actor and Comedian
- Stephen Hawking: Theoretical Physicist
- Stephen Amell: Actor
- Stephen Moyer: Actor
- Stephen Hawking: Scientist
- Stephen Malkmus: Musician
- Stephen A. Smith: Sports commentator
- Stephen Bishop: Singer-songwriter
- Stephen Merchant: Actor and Comedian
- Stephen Daldry: Film Director
- Stephen Schwartz: Composer
- Stephen Rea: Actor
- Stephen Sondheim: Composer
- Stephen Hopkins: Film Director/Producer
- Stephen Dunn: Photographer
- Stephen Schwartz: Lyricist
- Stephen Chbosky: Author