Surname States - Meaning and Origin

States: What does the surname States mean?

The surname States is derived from the Old French word "estat" which was used to describe a status or rank in society. Thus, it is likely that the first family to bear this surname held a notable rank or status in their community. This class of surname is known as an occupational surname, which means it was initially bestowed upon individuals based on their profession or occupation. Therefore, the surname States may have been used for people who worked in governmental or official roles. Alternatively, the name could be topographic in origin, relating to someone who lived near or worked at a place called "State" or "States". It is also possible that States was anglicized from a non-English surname with a similar pronunciation or spelling related to a different meaning or occupation. Despite its similarity to the plural of United States, it's not likely to be related, as family names predate the formation of the USA by centuries.

States: Where does the name States come from?

The last name States is most commonly found in the United States, though it can also be found in Austria, Germany, and other parts of Europe. This surname likely originated in England and is derived from a local place name with the word "states" in its title. In England, this would be related to the Old English term "stæt," meaning "site or place." One of the first records of the surname is dated to 1086, when a man with the last name States is recorded in the Domesday Book of Berkshire.

Throughout the centuries, the surname has spread throughout the United States. Records show that it has been found in most states of the U.S., with the highest numbers of people with the last name States living in states such as Illinois, California, New York, and Ohio.

It is believed that the States surname is linked to Irish immigrants who arrived in America after the potato famine. In America, the surname was adopted to reflect a new, single identity of the immigrants. The family tree used to be aibrd, blending Irish and American backgrounds, but at some point, the surname was adopted as a single name.

Overall, the surname States is most commonly found in the United States but is also known to be found in some other countries as well. It is interesting to note that this surname originated in England over a thousand years ago, only to be spread around the world with the spread of English-speaking populations.

Variations of the surname States

The surname States has a variety of origins including English, French, German, Jewish, and Arabic. The name can be spelled States, Staats, Stadts, Steats, Statts, Stattes, Stait, or Estates. Depending on the origin, its derivatives can also include Stadler, Stadtkaiser, Staedler, Staeder, Staedl, Staedtler, Stadtländer, Stadler, Stadthaus, Stafel, and Stoltz.

In English origins, the name usually comes from the fact that the original bearers were estate or land owners. The family line was likely established when a member of the family moved from the "estate" to a nearby town, thereby becoming a citizen with the surname States.

In French origins, the name traces back to the Old French word stad, meaning property, court, or place. It can be derived from the French noun Estat, meaning state or condition, or the Latin word status meaning condition or manner. This evolved to become a common surname in France, describing people who were estate owners.

The German version of the name is derived from the word stadt or city, meaning a man of the city or a city dweller. This could either refer to someone who lived in a city or was an owner of property there.

Jewish surnames of States origin usually come from the Yiddish word staats, which means city or town. This was likely adopted by Jews who had resided in a small town for a while and become citizens there.

The Arabic version of the surname is derived from the word state, and denotes someone who is of high rank or status.

Overall, the surname States is derived from words meaning estate, city, or rank in various languages, alluding to rich family backgrounds from those different origins.

Famous people with the name States

• Mike States: former MLB pitcher
• Tyson States: professional basketball player
• Marcus States: professional baseball player
• Marv States: former college basketball coach
• Shane States: former NFL player
• T. J. States: former college football linebacker
• Shere States: former college basketball player
• Billy States: former college basketball player
• Paul States: former NCAA referee
• Rickey States: former MLB pitcher
• Allie States: reality television star
• Daniel States: drummer for the band The Killers
• Chris States: actor and singer
• Quinn States: actor and singer
• Tessa States: model and artist

Other surnames

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