Surname Steenbreker - Meaning and Origin

Steenbreker: What does the surname Steenbreker mean?

The last name Steenbreker is a Dutch patronymic name meaning “son of Steenbreker” or “descendant of Steenbreker.” The origin of this surname likely lies in a village with the same name in the Netherlands, located near Zutphen, in the province of Gelderland. In the Middle Ages, many villages in Europe were given names that derived from the behavior of their inhabitants. In this case, the prefix “steen” is derived from the Dutch word for stone, referring to the cutting and working of stone that the residents of Steenbreker were known for. This was a common occupation amongst the people of the area during this period.

The Steenbrekers like many other Dutch families spread out to other regions of Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. Now, the last name Steenbreker can be found in many countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, and elsewhere.

Today, those who bear the last name Steenbreker are likely descended from the original stone-working community, or influenced by it through the migration of their Dutch ancestors. This name has survived for centuries, reflecting the hardworking past of those original inhabitants that gave the village its original name.

Steenbreker: Where does the name Steenbreker come from?

The last name Steenbreker is not common today, having been found in records mainly from the Low Countries, Germany, and central Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. The name originates from the Old German word 'steinbrucher' meaning "stone breaker" or "wall mason," and may refer to the profession of stone cutting or quarrying. In the Netherlands, the name is still somewhat common today with a few family branches known to exist in the south of the country. Over the last few centuries, however, the Steenbreker name has spread all over the world with the emigration of people from the Netherlands and Germany. Today, Steenbrekers are known to reside in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, along with other European and Middle Eastern countries. Additionally, modern Steenbrekers can be found in Brazil, South Africa, and India, due to the migration of Dutch settlers to those countries. In all of the places that they've settled across the globe, the Steenbrekers have generally worked in the fields of engineering, industry, and design, as well as the more traditional construction and masonry trades.

Variations of the surname Steenbreker

The Steenbreker surname is believed to have originated in the Netherlands. The name is derived from the Dutch word “steenbreker”, meaning “stonebreaker”, and is thought to have originally referred to a person with a profession related to breaking stones.

The Steenbreker surname is also seen in various other countries, including Germany and the United States. Variants of the name include Steenbeker, Stenbeker, Steenbeckers, Steenbakers, Stenbakers, Steenbecker, Stenbecker, Steenbeekers, Steenbakkers, and Steenbacker.

In Germany, the name is often seen spelled as Steinbrecher and in its umlaut form, Steenbrecher. The German umlaut is a special letter which changes the pronunciation of the vowel in a word but does not change its meaning.

In the United States, the name most commonly seen is Steinbacker or Stonebacker, though it is also seen in the variants Stinebacker and Stinebaker.

In the Netherlands, the surname is also seen in the spelling Sten Breker, as well as with a double “n”, as Stenn Breker.

In addition to the Steenbreker surname itself, there are also many other surnames that are believed to be derived from it, such as Steinkamp, Steenbergen, Steenberge, Steinbock, Steinberg, Steinhaus, Steinhoff, and Steinmetz.

The spelling of the Steenbreker surname can vary greatly across countries, and many of its variants and surnames of the same origin can be difficult to spot unless one is familiar with the origin of the name. However, with a bit of research it is possible to identify and connect them.

Famous people with the name Steenbreker

• Johan Steenbreker: Dutch radio presenter and DJ.
• Wouter Steenbreker: Dutch professional swimmer and former Worldrecord holder.
• Ad Stenbreker: Dutch graphic designer and illustrator.
• Robert Steenbreker: Dutch judoka who won multiple medals in the European championships.
• Gustav Steenbreker: Outstanding Dutch athlete and known for breaking multiple records.
• Harry Steenbreker: Dutch water sports athlete and sailing Olympic medalist.
• Dirk Steenbreker: Dutch artist and sculptor.
• Nico Steenbreker: Dutch competitive cyclist and multiple national and world championship medalist.
• Mark Steenbreker: Dutch soccer player and manager.
• Lieke Steenbreker: Dutch actress who starred in multiple television and film productions.

Other surnames

Steenbrecker