Surname Steer - Meaning and Origin
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Steer: What does the surname Steer mean?
The last name Steer is of English origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word 'steor', which means 'steersman'. It is thought to refer to a worker who steered a ship or a ferry.
In the Middle Ages, the Steer family was typically of humble origin, with members of the family most likely taking on roles as boatmen, ferrymen, or shipbuilders. Over time, the family became more respectable in status and some of its members even rose to prominence.
Today, the last name Steer is found in many parts of the world, from England to the United States and beyond. It is still connected to its nautical roots, with some Steers employed as navigation directors, vessel engineers, or sailing instructors.
The Steer family name stands for determination and strong work ethic. People with the name Steer are often viewed as reliable and hardworking, with a good sense of direction in all that they do. This is exemplified in their past and their current roles, and explains why they have been able to make a name for themselves throughout the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisSteer: Where does the name Steer come from?
The last name Steer is an English surname, primarily found in the United Kingdom. While the name Steer is most common in England, there are some occurrences in Ireland and Australia as well.
Today, the name Steer is most associated with the county of Somerset, where the name originated and where people with the surname Steer are numerous. This area of England was historically known for its clay manufacturing industry, due to its proximity to the Bristol Channel. As a result, the surname Steer was once common among the clay manufacturers of this region.
The Steer surname is also found among families living in the town of Sittingbourne in Kent, England. The area has a long history and significant industrial roots, and both the Steer and Smith families of Sittingbourne have a long history of working in local industries.
Outside of the U.K., the Steer last name is rare, although a few individuals with this surname can be found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Steer
The surname Steer is a name that has various variants in spellings and surnames of the same origin. The variants of the name are Stare, Stear, Steere, Steere, Stars, Stears, Steere, Steerer and Sterr.
The surnames of the same origin of Steer are Star, Stedman, Steed, Steede, Steen and Steer. Steer is a surname derived from the Old English 'stēara' which means 'steersman'. The name originally referred to a person who steered ships or vessels.
Over time, the name has been found in various spellings with the first record of the name in the mid 11th century in Devon, England. At that time, it was recorded as Stiere.
In the 13th century, the name was also J. Stere recorded in Herefordshire, England. In the 16th century, the name was re-recorded as Steere in War us. and Steere in Suffolk.
Today, the Steer surname has spread to different parts of the world. It is common across Europe, particularly England, Scotland and Ireland. In Australia, the name is found in various spellings including three variations of Steere as well as Stother, Stepney and Strudwick.
In the United States the name is fairly common with various spellings including Steere, Stars, Stears, Star and Steener. As the surname is of English origin, it is predominately found in English-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Steer
- Chris Steer: American goalkeeper for USL Championship side Reno 1868 FC.
- Cara Steer: Canadian entrepreneur and investor.
- Lisa Steer: British actress best known for her work on stage with Metro Theatre in West London and the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.
- Matt Steer: American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who began the alternative rock band Denise De La Cruz in 2004.
- Lou Steer: Australian rules footballer who represents Geelong in the AFL.
- Dave Steer: British musician and singer-songwriter, and member of the punk rock band The Angelic Upstarts.
- Robert Steer: American politician, entrepreneur, and current mayor of Park City, Utah.
- Stan Steer: English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Gillingham F.C. in The Football League.
- Jordan Steer: Canadian entrepreneur and cryptocurrency investor.
- Chip Steer: American politician and current speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives.