Surname Stech - Meaning and Origin
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Stech: What does the surname Stech mean?
The last name Stech is of German origin but its exact meaning is not clear, as it is with many surnames. It appears to be derived from the Middle High German word "stec(h)," used as an occupational name for a fletcher – someone who makes arrows. It could also be related to the term "stecken," which means "to stick" or "to stab," possibly referring to someone who used or made tools for piercing or stabbing, such as spears. Another possibility is that it could be a topographic name for someone who lived by a steep path or a precipice, from the Middle High German "stec." The name could also be of Slavic origin, where it is seen as a variant of Stech, related to Stanislav. As with many surnames, the exact origin can be difficult to determine due to shifts in language, borders, and culture over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisStech: Where does the name Stech come from?
The last name Stech is most common today in Europe, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. It is especially common in the Czech Republic, where, according to World Names 2017, it is the 36th most common last name. It is also moderately common in Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
In terms of American states, the most Stechs live in Pennsylvania, followed by New Jersey, California, Florida, Ohio, and Illinois. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the average concentration of Stechs in the United States is 1.24 persons per 1,000 in the population, with concentrations ranging from 0.58 people per 1,000 near Mississippi, to 5.04 per 1,000 near Pennsylvania.
The last name is believed to be of Slavic origin, and is likely derived from an old Polish word, "Steć", which means "to save and keep from harm". It is likely that the ancestors of current Stechs were tasked with jobs such as protecting their families' and communities' land and property, which likely helped the last name spread throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
Variations of the surname Stech
The surname Stech is a Czech and German surname derived from the Old High German word "stehhan" or "steel," meaning "to stand." It is most commonly found in areas with a heavy Germanic or Czech population including the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and South-East Europe. The surname Stech is also an Americanized version of several Czech variants, such as Stěží, Štěch, Steš, and Steží.
In German, the surname Stech is spelled Stech or Steich and can also be found with the German umlaut spelling Stech. In Switzerland, Stech is spelled ‘Stechh’ (with a double ‘H') and in parts of South-Eastern Europe, the surname is spelled Steć.
Variants of the surname Stech include Stecche, Stechov, Stechman, and Stecko. Common spellings of the surname Stech also exist in Czech as Štech, Štěch, Steš, Stežek, and Stežka.
Surnames of the same origin as Stech include Stich, Estes, Estevez, and Stiehl. Alternative spellings include ‘Stechh’, Staechli, Stege, and Steck in Germany. Another variation of the surname Stech is Stecher in Austria, and in South-Eastern Europe, surnames such as Stecke, Steckel, Stecks, and Stecksen can be found.
Overall, the surname Stech has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin stemming from its Old High German roots. Variations and spellings may be based on location, language, and country.
Famous people with the name Stech
- Elmar Stech: German former professional footballer.
- David Stech: American equity consultant.
- Gerd Stech: German physicist specializing in high-speed lasers.
- Hans Stech: German former professional cyclist.
- Michael Stech: American biostatistician who has contributes to the Predictive Analytics applied to healthcare.
- Robert Stech: German football manager.
- Rolf Stech: Austrian former professional footballer.
- Steve Stech: American lawyer.
- János Stéch: Hungarian Olympic canoeist who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Tomas Stech: Czech professional ice hockey goaltender.
- Zdeněk Stech: Czech football defender and manager.
- Mathias Stech: Swiss professional footballer.
- Ivan Stéch: Czech footballer.
- Eberhard Stech: German former professional faller.
- Josef Stech: Czech former professional footballer.
- Slavko Stěch: Czechoslovak slalom canoer who competed in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Ladislav Stěch: Czech handball player who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Arne Stech: German former professional footballer.
- Gerrit Stech: German former professional cyclist.
- Terry Stech: American football coach in the National Football League.