Last Names

Surnames / S

Stinson

What is the origin of the last name Stinson?

Scottish originPatronymic (from a parent or ancestor)Rank #1,317 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Stinson is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the patronymic form of the personal name Stephen, meaning "crown" or "garland." The name Stephen can be traced back to ancient Greece and gained popularity in medieval Europe. Over time, this surname spread throughout Scotland, where it was originally spelled "Stevenson" before evolving into the modern form of Stinson.

The longer story

The last name Stinson is of Scottish origin and is derived from the personal name Stephen, which comes from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "garland." This gives the surname Stinson the meaning of "son of Stephen." Surnames that are patronymic in nature, like Stinson, were commonly used to identify a person by their father or paternal ancestor.

The Stinson surname is primarily found in Scotland and Ireland. It is believed to have originated in the Scottish Highlands and later spread to other regions. Many individuals with the Stinson last name can be found in areas of Scottish and Irish migration, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The spelling of surnames can vary over time and across regions. Alternative spellings of Stinson include Stevenson, Steenson, Steinson, and Stenhouse. These variations may be a result of phonetic changes or regional dialects.

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.

#1,317

Stinson was the 1,317th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 26,681 people, about 8.6 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)70.8%
  • Hispanic or Latino2.3%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)23.8%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.5%
  • Two or more races2.2%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.5%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Stinson.

Surnames like Stinson

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.