Surname Stawnaker - Meaning and Origin
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Stawnaker: What does the surname Stawnaker mean?
The last name Stawnaker is believed to be of English origin. It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a large stone or monument, derived from the Old English "stān" meaning stone, and the Middle English "wacare" meaning watcher or guardian.
It is generally thought that Stawnakers were employed to look after the large stones or monuments and that is why their surname originated from this occupation. Often, family names can reveal a clue to one's ancestor's lifestyles, social standing, and trade.
The Stawnaker name is believed to be associated with the highest class in the feudal system, and is an occupational name used to mean one observed or watched some type of important monument, or even a high-ranking official. This suggests that the Stawnakers are descended from a line of privileged families. The name is uncommon and fairly rarely found outside of its region of origin, England.
Stawnaker is used to describe a family, and people with this name are linked in search of their common heritage and line of descent. Those who carry the Stawnaker name are thought to share the same characteristics of pride, loyalty, and a strong moral compass.
Order DNA origin analysisStawnaker: Where does the name Stawnaker come from?
The last name Stawnaker is most commonly found in the United States today. It is not particularly common, as U.S. census data shows that there were an estimated 1,174 Stawnaker name holders in recent years. In comparison, there were 3.7 million people in the U.S. with the last name Smith.
Stawnaker is an Americanized spelling of the German name Staenneker, which originated in centuries past in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Stawnaker immigrants first began arriving in the United States in large numbers in the 1800's.
The majority of Stawnaker's today are found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Virginia. Other significant concentrations can be found in Maryland, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas. Stawnaker's can also be found in scattered locations across the United States.
The Stawnaker name is most common among individuals of German descent living in the United States today. The name Stawnaker may also be seen in slightly modified forms, such as Stonaker, Stannecker, Staneker, Stanneker and Stenneker.
Despite the general rarity of the name, there have been recognizable Stawnakers in the last century, such as celebrity chef Art Stawnaker, pioneer American ballet dancer Lois Stawnaker, racecar driver Bruce Stawnaker and World War II veteran and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient William Stawnaker.
Variations of the surname Stawnaker
The surname Stawnaker is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the word ston, meaning stone, and nacan, meaning maker or mason. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Stone, Stonemaker, Steinmaker, and Stonemeasier.
The surname Stawnaker is typically found in England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and United States. In Scotland, the surname is also found spelt as Stonemaker and Stonemeasier. It's speculated that variants of the name may have been phonetically pronounced as Stanecker, Stainaker, and Stawmaker prior to a more standardized spelling.
In England, many of the surnames Stonemaker and Stone are derived from Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire. These variants of the surname originated from the towns of Stone, Stonehouse, and Stonely.
In Wales, variants are found spelt as Stawnecker, Stawnaker, Stenmaker, Stenmakere, and Stonemakere. It's believed that the last three of these variants all originated in the same parish.
In Ireland, spelling variations are seen primarily in Co. Dublin, with variants spelt as Stanecker, Stainaker, Stonecker, and Stoneker.
In the United States, variants are mainly found in Pennsylvania, where the surname's spelling may range from Stonemaker to Stonemakere, and Steimaker to Steinmacker.
Overall, the surname Stawnaker has a number of variants, along with many alternate spellings and surnames which share the same origin. The spelling and distribution of the surname have changed and evolved significantly over the years in a variety of countries.
Famous people with the name Stawnaker
- Austin Stawnaker: Austin Stawnaker is an actor, writer, and producer. He is best known for his role as “Theo” in the TV series, The Fosters.
- Rafe Stawnaker: Rafe Stawnaker is an American actor and musician who has appeared in films such as The Orphan and Barbarians Rising.
- Wendy Stawnaker: Wendy Stawnaker is an American author, particularly a mystery writer. She has written several novels, including The Little Deaths and What We Heard at Night.
- Logan Stawnaker: Logan Stawnaker is an American football player. He is currently a defensive tackle for the University of Arkansas.
- Hannah Stawnaker: Hannah Stawnaker is an American comedian, writer, and actress. She is best known for her role as “Amber” in the web series, Redheads Anonymous.
- David Stawnaker: David Stawnaker is an American director and producer. He is best known for directing the feature film, Chase the Flower.
- Amber Stawnaker: Amber Stawnaker is an American musician. She is best known for her albums N.Y.C. and Sunland A.M.
- Ellen Stawnaker: Ellen Stawnaker is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for her work on The Voice and for her album, Moonlight Castle.
- Patrick Stawnaker: Patrick Stawnaker is an American artist and sculptor. He is best known for his works using found objects and mixed media.