STEIN
Stein is a surname of German origin, recorded as early as 1155 in the rolls of the abbey of Holme, Norfolk during the reign of Henry XI. The name is derived from the Middle High German word stein, meaning “stone.” It has therefore given rise to several distinct but overlapping etymologies. The surname could be a topographic designation for a person dwelling near a prominent stone or a tumbling boulder; alternatively it may have been a habitational name taken from a locality called Stein. In some instances the name is occupational, referring to a stonemason or otherwise a worker employing stone in construction or sculpture.
In England and Scotland the surname also appears to have an independent source, either as a pet form of the personal name Steven – itself derived from the Greek Stephanos, meaning “laurel wreath” – or from the ancient Norse word sten, again meaning “stone.” As a result, the name was common in a number of counties: in Scotland it was mainly recorded in Fife, Ayrshire and Roxburghshire; in England it occurs throughout, with spellings such as Stean, Stein, Steyne, Steane, Stain, Staines and Stayne. The 1086 Domesday Book lists personal names such as Stein and Sten in Yorkshire; in 1275 Worcestershire records a Richard Steyn; in 1575 Glasgow records a John Steyne; and in 1603 a Thomas Steane is noted at St Dunstans church, Stepney. A later, more colourful, reference is the tale of Katie Stein of Laighpark, Kirkoswald parish, who is reputed to have been the “Cutty‑Sark” heroine of Robert Burns’ poem Tam O’ Shanter.
The name is relatively widespread and can be found among German, English and Scottish populations, as well as within Jewish and Ashkenazi communities. In these latter groups the surname often reflects the use of Germanic place names or occupations as adopted surnames following the imposition of hereditary surnames across Europe in the late Middle Ages. The occurrence of Stein among Jews in German and Ashkenazi contexts is documented, and it is also recorded in Hebrew-language sources as a surname.
Today, the surname remains common, with many variants linked to its ancient linguistic roots. Its endurance across national borders and cultures illustrates the enduring nature of occupational and topographic naming practices in the European naming tradition.
Typical given names associated with the Stein surname
Male
- Alexander
- Andrew
- Colin
- David
- Donald
- James
- John
- Michael
- Peter
- Robert
- Sammy
- Vince
- Vincent
- William
Female
- Claire
- Deborah
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jane
- Laura
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Stein in...
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There are approximately 2,102 people named Stein in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,033rd most common surname in Britain. Around 32 in a million people in Britain are named Stein.
Religion of origin: Jewish
Language of origin: Hebrew
Famous people named Stein
- Rick Stein - Chef
- Daniel Edward Stein - DJ
- Gertrude Stein - American writer, poet (1874 to 1946)
- Aurel Stein - Hungarian-British archaeologist (1862 to 1943)
- Jock Stein - Scottish football player and manager (1922 to 1985)
- Colin Stein - Scottish football player
- Brian Stein - Football player and manager
- Nigel Stein - Businessperson
- Ed Stein - Football player and manager
- Jimmy Stein - Scottish association football player
- Peter Stein - University professor (1926 to 2016)
- Leonard Stein - Politician and barrister, prominent Zionist (1887 to 1973)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.