Sterne

Sterne is a British surname of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German "stern" or "sterno," meaning "star." The name is believed to have been brought to England by Continental settlers during the medieval period.

Notable Individuals:

1. Laurence Sterne (1713-1768): One of the most famous bearers of the surname Sterne is Laurence Sterne, an Irish-born English novelist and clergyman. He is best known for his novel "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman," which is considered a landmark in the history of the English novel.

2. Richard Sterne (1596-1683): Another notable figure with the surname Sterne is Richard Sterne, who was the Anglican Archbishop of York from 1664 until his death in 1683. He played a significant role in the religious and political events of his time.

3. Sterne Family of Elvington: The Sterne family of Elvington in Yorkshire are a prominent landowning family with deep roots in the region. They have been associated with numerous charitable and philanthropic endeavours over the centuries.

Distribution:

The surname Sterne is relatively uncommon in modern Britain, with concentrations in areas such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cambridgeshire. It remains a testament to the diverse origins and history of British surnames.

There are approximately 258 people named Sterne in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Sterne.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Anthony
  • Guy
  • Jack
  • John
  • Jonathan
  • Martin
  • Michael
  • Neil
  • Nicholas
  • Paul
  • Philip
  • Richard

Female

  • Brenda
  • Diane
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Julia
  • Linda
  • Nicola
  • Pippa
  • Sandra
  • Yvonne

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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