Meaning and origin
The last name Stephenson has its origin in the patronymic surname tradition, which means it is derived from the first name of an ancestor. In this case, Stephenson stems from the medieval personal name Stephen. The name Stephen is derived from the Greek name "Stephanos," meaning "crown" or "garland." Over time, this surname evolved into various spellings, including Stephen, Stevens, and the variant Stephenson. The name can be traced back to the Middle Ages and is typically of English and Scottish origin.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
Similar spellings
#733
Stephenson was the 733rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 47,641 people, about 16 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Stephenson
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Stephenson is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.