Surname Steere - Meaning and Origin

Steere: What does the surname Steere mean?

Steere is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origins, with its earliest records dating back to the eleventh century. It is believed to be a variant spelling of Stears, an occupational name derived from the Middle English word ‘sterre’, meaning ‘stocker’. A stocker was someone who stored or accumulated goods such as grain, meat, and clothing. In some cases, it is suggested to originate from a location with the same spelling - a small hamlet in the county of Devon.

Throughout its history, the Steere family have achieved some renown. Most notably, American colonial pioneers, Ezekiel and Thomas Steere, are said to have set up a business of trading, printing, and publishing in Rhode Island in the 1600s. It was later passed to their descendants, who moved the business to New York in the eighteenth century.

The Steere name can now be found in many parts of the world. In England, Steere is most popularly found in the counties of Devon and Somerset. In the United States, a majority of people with Steere as a surname originated from Connecticut and Rhode Island. The name is still commonly used in these areas.

In modern times, the Steere family continue to proudly uphold their impressive heritage, far from the stocker professional that was its origin. Many have achieved notable accolades in a variety of pursuits, including public service, the arts, academia, and professional sport.

Steere: Where does the name Steere come from?

The last name Steere is most commonly found today in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Variants or alternate spellings of the name are Steer, Steele, and Stear.

In the United States the last name Steere is most commonly found in the Northeastern states, including Massachusetts, where records of the Steere family have been traced back to the 1600's. In New England, the highest densities of Steere were found in Rhode Island, then Massachusetts, then Vermont.

The last name Steere can also be found in the UK, particularly in South West England. A notable bearear of the name in the UK is William Steere of Kingsteignton, who served England's King Charles I during the civil wars of the 1640's.

Recent records also indicate that Steere is particularly popular in Canada, with the highest densities located in Alberta and Ontario. Outside of North America, Steere is also common in Australia and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Steere

The surname Steere is thought to have originated from England and is quite rare. It was first found in Devon, where the family were first recorded in ancient times. The variants and spellings include Stere, Sterre, and Stier. Steere is also a variation of the surname Stier, an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word for "steed".

The spelling variation Styer can be found in the United States and Canada, and might have been the result of illiterate immigrants. It may also come from a variant of the surname Stires, an English variant of Styre which itself is derived from the Middle English word for "seat".

The Stier family can be traced back to Prussia, where they were held in high respect and nobility. The Stier and Styer families could be related, as Stier is the Dutch form of the German Styer.

The Steere surname has many variations and spellings, and some may be mistaken for other surnames. A few examples of these names are Streer, Styrer, and Stier. It has also been suggested that Steere could be a variation of the surname Strickland, which is derived from the Old Norse for “strickland” meaning someone who lives near a stand of trees.

In conclusion, the Steere surname has many variants, spellings, and related surnames, stretching back centuries. These variations may even have been the result of immigrants with limited literacy skills registering their names incorrectly.

Famous people with the name Steere

• Benjamin F. Steere: Businessman, former president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Harry Steere: American politician of the Democratic Party
• John R. Steere: former U.S. banker and businessman
• Joseph W. Steere: American industrialist and politician
• Jackson Steere: American entertainer who starred in the popular television series, “The Partridge Family”
• Rob Steere: Retired professional football player who played for the San Diego Chargers
• John C. Steere: Arthropod taxonomist
• David Steere: Iconic figure in the 1960s British rock and roll scene
• John Steere: English Civil War colonel, governor of the Royalist colony in Pemaquid, Maine
• Thomas Steere: English protected cruiser of the Royal Navy
• Carl Steere: English physicist and medical researcher
• Rebecca Steere: American actress and singer
• Elizabeth Steere: American figure skater
• Michael Steere: Author of the book “Leadership in the Wilderness”
• Sairah Steere: American journalist and television host
• Haley Steere: Professional golfer on the LPGA Tour
• Brooke Steere: Fashion and life-style blogger
• Chester Steere: American stand-up comedian

Other surnames

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