Surname Steegmans - Meaning and Origin
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Steegmans: What does the surname Steegmans mean?
The last name Steegmans is an occupational surname derived from the Dutch words 'steeg', meaning 'alley', and 'man', meaning 'man'. This indicates that the original bearer of the name was someone who lived on or near an alleyway. The term 'steegman' was also used to denote 'a messenger, an errand-boy' or 'messenger of the court'. In this sense, it was probably a nickname for someone who was known for travelling through the alleyways on behalf of his employer, as a court messenger.
This last name can be found in records dating as far back as the 16th century, when it was used to refer to a number of minor court officials. During this period, it was likely that the Steegmans name was a way to signify a special place of residence; a narrow passage or road that was easy to observe or monitor, but also allowed some anonymity or privacy for its dwellers.
Steegmans is still a common enough name today; it is very popular in the Netherlands, and can be found among the Belgian, German and French populations as well. It is a small but significant part of the Dutch culture and heritage. Though a frequently used occupational surname, it often serves as a reminder of a unique kind of lifestyle or history - one that was slightly unexpected since it revolves around the often overlooked alleyways of cities.
Order DNA origin analysisSteegmans: Where does the name Steegmans come from?
The last name Steegmans is most commonly found in Belgium, its country of origin. The name is derived from the Dutch word ‘steeg’ which means ‘alley’. Historically, many Steegmans families resided in the municipality of Zuienkerke in West Flanders. They arguably descend from the van Steeghe family whose members are known to have lived there throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Research suggests that some Steegmans families may even go back as far as the late 14th century when the family purchased a tile-kiln in the area.
Today, many Steegmans families are still living in Zuienkerke as well as in neighbouring communities. Elsewhere in Belgium, descendants of the Steegmans name can be found in regions like Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Notable locations include the city of Ostend where the highest concentration of Steegmans can be found.
The Steegmans name is also prominent outside of Belgium. Countries like the Netherlands, France, and Germany all have sizeable Steegmans populations. In the United States, the Steegmans name is rare but some descendants have emigrated and settled in states like Texas, California, and Washington. At present, the United States has the third-largest concentration of Steegmans families in the world.
Overall, the wealthiest and most populous related to the Steegmans name remain in their country of origin.
Variations of the surname Steegmans
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Steegmans include Steggemans, Stegemans, Steegemans, Steegmens, Steigemans, Steckmans, Stegemans, Stegmans, Steggmans, and Steelmans.
The surname Steegmans originated in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. It is derived from a toponymic origin and a given name. The name is derived from the Dutch word stege, which means a border or a boundary. Steegmans was most likely an Old Dutch name borne by someone living near a boundary or border. The surname could also have been derived from the Dutch word stegge, referring to a wooden bridge.
The spelling of the surname Steegmans has evolved over time. It was originally spelled Steggemans in the mid-14th century, but eventually changed to Steegmans in the late 17th century. The various spellings of the surname correspond to different regional dialects.
The name has spread to other parts of Europe, including areas of Belgium, Germany, France, and Austria. In Germany, the variants Steckmans and Stegemans are common. In France, the name is spelled Stegmans, while in Austria, the spelling is Steggmans. In Belgium, the spelling is Stegemans.
The surname Steegmans is found across the globe today, with many individuals living in the United States and Canada. The name is the most common in the Netherlands, followed by Belgium and Germany.
Famous people with the name Steegmans
- Jurgen Steegmans: A former professional road bicycle racer, Jurgen Steegmans competed in the UCI World Tour for a variety of teams such as Quick Step-Innergetic, Lotto-Belisol and RadioShack-Leopard.
- Dieter Steegmans: A Belgian illustrator who has been designing graphic novels and comics since the mid-1990s, Dieter Steegmans is well known for his work on titles such as Carnet de Voyage, Blueberry and Metabarons.
- Felix Steegmans: An established furniture designer and cabinetmaker from Belgium, Felix Steegmans mainly creates pieces of furniture for private and business customers from timber and contemporary materials.
- Robert Steegmans: Robert Steegmans was a professional football player from Belgium who had a stint in the Belgian Pro League with Eendracht Aalst.
- Bart Steegmans: Bart Steegmans is a Belgian athletic trainer who has worked with the Dutch handball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics and has been a consultant with the Canadian men's Olympic basketball team.
- Mart Steegmans: Mart Steegmans is a Belgian former cyclist who took part in track and road racing events between the late-1980s and mid-1990s.
- Chris Steegmans: A Belgian contemporary artist and illustrator from Ostend, Chris Steegmans is known for his surrealist paintings and drawings.
- Joost Steegmans: A former Dutch football player, Joost Steegmans has had multiple years of experience as a staff member at clubs such as Fortuna Sittard, Willem II, Eindhoven and Heracles Almelo.
- Nick Steegmans: Nick Steegmans is a Belgian artist whose work has been displayed in several galleries in Europe. He mainly draws inspiration from nature and creates art from, varying materials such as plastic, wood and metal.