Surname Steensma - Meaning and Origin
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Steensma: What does the surname Steensma mean?
The last name Steensma is a Dutch patronymic surname meaning “son of Steen”, Steen being an old Dutch personal name meaning “stone”.
In the tradition of patronymic surnames, Steensma surnames are usually passed down from father to son. This was the case for many families in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe until the start of the 19th century when a system of fixed surnames was introduced.
The name Steensma is a variant of the other stemming from Steen, such as Stevens, Steenstra, Steenhuis, or Steenbergen. It has also been suggested that the surname could have been derived from the old Dutch personal name Stinus, similar enough to Steen in both pronunciation and spelling for it to be misinterpreted by clergy as a patronymic surname.
Although the origin of the name remains disputed, Steensma is one of the more popular last names in the Netherlands, mainly located in the South and West of the country, with many families settling in the coastal areas. It is also a surname commonly found in the United States by people of Dutch-American heritage and today, most people who bear the name are descended from the original settlers of the Netherlands, or immigrants who have since come to the country.
Order DNA origin analysisSteensma: Where does the name Steensma come from?
The last name Steensma is most commonly found today in the Netherlands and is estimated to have over three thousand individuals living there with that name. The Netherlands is part of the larger Dutch-speaking region known as the Low Countries, which also includes parts of Belgium and Germany. Although the exact origin of the name is uncertain, it is thought to derive from "steen," which means "stone" or "rock" in Dutch. Because of the Low Countries' long history as a crossroads between eastern and western Europe, it is likely that the name was brought to the region by immigrants and then spread throughout the Low Countries and beyond.
Today, the Steensma name is also found in smaller concentrations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries across the world. It is likely that the immigrants who brought the name to the Low Countries traveled to other parts of the world in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, bringing the name with them wherever they went. In the United States, the Steensma name is found scattered throughout the Midwest, as well as further out in states like Texas, Florida, and even Hawaii.
The Steensma family has been called a "global family" for their wide-reaching presence around the world. Although they are a relatively small family, they have contributed to many different aspects of culture and society in the countries where they have settled. From doctors to writers to artists, the Steensma name continues to make its mark on the world.
Variations of the surname Steensma
The Steensma surname is of Dutch origin and is derived from the given name “Stien” and the suffix “-ma” (or “-sma”, "-mas" or “-sman”), which means "son of." Thus, the surname Steensma literally translates into “son of Stien.” Variants of the Steensma surname include Steinma, Steenma, Steenesma and Steensman.
Spellings of the Steensma surname can include Stiemma, Stienma,steenmaand Steenema. In some cases, the final "-a" may be dropped to create forms such as Steensm, Stiensma and Steenesma.
Surnames that are related to Steensma include Steemas, Steemans, Stemas, Steinman, Sterman and Stermans. In some cases, the final "-sma" may be dropped to create variants such as Steen, Steenman, Steem, and Steeman.
The Steensma surname is quite common in the Netherlands, particularly in the northern provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe. It is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other European countries.
Famous people with the name Steensma
- Liz Steensma: American costume designer and 2008 Academy Award nominee for the film Atonement.
- Brent Steensma: Former National Senior Vice President with the United States Soccer Federation.
- Dave Steensma: Retired Major League Baseball player who played for the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets.
- John Steensma: Senior Pastor of Howarth Memorial United Methodist Church in Tacoma, Washington.
- Katie Steensma: Singer-songwriter who became famous in 2005 after placing fourth in the fourth season of American Idol.
- Matthew Steensma: American actor known for his roles in TV shows such as Lizzie McGuire, Judging Amy and Zoey 101.
- Michael Steensma: Retired NFL fullback who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins.
- Paul Steensma: Australian actor and artistic director of Windmill Theatre Company.
- Raymond Steensma: Professor Emeritus of Education at Calvin College and author of several books.
- Rick Steensma: Former President and CEO of Padnos, a family-owned business located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.