Last Names

Surnames / S

Stubbs

What is the origin of the last name Stubbs?

English originOccupational (a trade or role)Rank #1,781 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Stubbs is of English origin, deriving from the medieval English word "stubbe," meaning a stump or a post. Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname passed down through generations, ultimately becoming the family name Stubbs.

The longer story

The last name Stubbs is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a stableman or horse groom. The name is believed to have originated in the medieval period when surnames began to develop, and was likely given to those who worked in or around stables. The word "stubbe" is Middle English and refers to a post or stake, which may have been used to secure horses.

The surname Stubbs is primarily found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. It is not as common in other countries, although individuals with the name can be found in other English-speaking countries due to migration and historical ties.

According to available records, the earliest known instance of the surname Stubbs dates back to the 13th century in England. Variations of the name include Stubb, Stubbe, and Stub, and these variations may have arisen due to different interpretations or regional accents.

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

#1,781

Stubbs was the 1,781st most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 20,134 people, about 6.5 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)64.0%
  • Hispanic or Latino3.3%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)29.6%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.4%
  • Two or more races2.1%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.6%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Stubbs.

Surnames like Stubbs

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.