Styan

Origin and Meaning: Styan is a British surname of locational origin deriving from the Old Norse personal name Steinn and the Old English word eg, meaning island. The name refers to someone who lived near or on a stony island.

Distribution: The surname Styan is most commonly found in the northern counties of England, such as Yorkshire and Durham, where it has historical roots.

Notable Bearers:

  • Francis Styan (1798–1872): An English architect known for his work on various historic buildings in Yorkshire.
  • Alice Styan (1865–1952): An influential suffragette who played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century.
  • Christopher Styan (b. 1980): A contemporary British artist renowned for his innovative sculptures and installations.

Variants: Variants of the surname Styan include Stean and Styane. Over time, the name may have undergone various spellings and adaptations due to factors such as dialectal variations and clerical errors.

References:

  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1991). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.

Please note: Due to the privacy of individuals, specific details about contemporary living persons with the surname Styan may not be included in this entry.

There are approximately 275 people named Styan in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Styan.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Martin
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • Philip
  • Richard
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Dorothy
  • Elizabeth
  • Gwendoline
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • June
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Natalie
  • Nicola

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