Surname Stefan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
An Emotional Odyssey: Unraveling My Roots with iGENEA DNA Test
"The iGENEA DNA test delivers a transformative experience. It connects you to your past, brings light to your lineage and surname history, and creates an overwhelming sense of belonging to the broader human family. This journey through genetics provides an emotionally enriching perspective of your identity and family history."
U. Stefan
read moreStefan: What does the surname Stefan mean?
The last name Stefan originates from several countries around the world, such as Germany, Romania, and Poland. Derived from the Latin name Stefanus, the name means “crown” or “lyre.” It is thought to represent someone important and powerful - perhaps a leader or ruler.
In Germany, the name comes from the Old German stem “steh” meaning “stand” and “fan” meaning ”stalk” so together it means “stand stalk” or “in a steadfast position”. This term was used to describe a strong and influential personality.
In Romania, the name Stefan is a form of Stephan which means “crown” and can be traced back to an individual who was given the title “The Crowned One”. This likely referred to a powerful warrior or ruler.
In Poland, it is derived from the Slavic word “stefan” which means “lyre” and connotes spiritual, artistic, and musical qualities.
Overall, the name Stefan has a few sources, but all of them imply high level of distinction and status associated with the name bearer. Whether it is a warrior or a ruler, musician or artist, the name connotes a powerful and influential individual.
Order DNA origin analysisStefan: Where does the name Stefan come from?
The last name Stefan is most commonly found in Europe, as a result of its Germanic origins. It is the eighth most common surname in Germany, where it is spelled ‘Stefan’, and also very popular in Romania, where it is spelled ‘Ștefan’. It is the second most common surname in Slovakia, where it is spelled ‘Štefan’, and the sixth most common surname in Austria, where it is spelled ‘Stefan’. In Hungary, it is the thirty-fourth most common surname, spelled ‘Sztéfan’.
In the United States, Stefan is a much less common surname. It ranks 4,914th in popularity, according to a study by the US Census Bureau. However, its popularity is rising in the US, an indication of its growth across the globe. Outside of Europe, the surname is found in states like South Africa, the Philippines and Albania, spelling variants include ‘Stjefan’, ‘Štefan’ and ‘Shtjefan’.
It is not clear why Stefan is popular in some parts of the world and less so in others, but it is likely due to immigration and intermarriage. As people have moved around the world, they have brought the name with them, making it popular in some areas and not in others.
Variations of the surname Stefan
The surname Stefan is an ancient name of Latin origin, with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants of the surname Stefan are Stiene, Steffan, Stephane, Stefanos, Stefanus, and Stefano. All of these variants are derived from the Latin form of the name, Stephanus, which can be translated to mean “crowned victory”.
The history of this name is interesting, as it has also been linked to different religions over the centuries. Due to its Latin origin, it is found occasionally in Catholic countries and among French Canadians. It is also the root of the name “Steven”, which has become a popular name for many English speakers. Other spellings in different languages are Esteban (Spanish), Stepan (Russian), and Stefano (Italian).
In some areas, the spelling variations from Stefan have become separate surnames, such as Steffen and Stein in Germany and Schäffer in Austria. Some of these surnames may originate from different given names, such as the surname Steffens, which may have derived from a given name such as Steven. Other surnames of the same origin include Stenson, Stefanovich, Stefancic, Stefanovic, and Stefanick.
In addition, the name Stefan has been used to form patronymic surnames in certain countries, which are names derived from the father’s given name. Examples of Stefan patronymic surnames are Stefanovich (Russia), Stefanovic (Serbia), Stefanerean (Romania), Stefan czak (Poland), and Stefanovski (Macedonia).
The name Stefan has spread through many different countries and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are a testament to the name’s unique history.
Famous people with the name Stefan
- Stefan Schwab: German footballer
- Stefan Edberg: Swedish tennis legend
- Stefan Raab: German entertainer, television personality, and former host of TV total
- Stefan Kuntz: German football coach and former player
- Stefan Bradl: German Grand Prix motorcycle racer
- Stefan Collini: British literary scholar and critic
- Stefan Kiessling: German football player
- Stefan Kiefer: German basketball player
- Stefan Effenberg: German football coach and former player
- Stefan Leander: Swedish ice hockey player
- Stefan Hell: German biologist and Nobel Prize winner
- Stefan Zweig: Austrian novelist, playwright and biographer
- Stefan Kiessling: German footballer
- Stefan Bosse: German soccer coach
- Stefan Raab: German television and music producer
- Stefan Radu: Romanian footballer
- Stefan Matschiner: Austrian biathlete
- Stefan Kraft: Austrian Olympic ski jumper
- Stefan Groothuis: Dutch speed skater
- Stefan Koubek: Austrian former professional tennis player
- Stefan Schumacher: German former professional road bicycle racer
- Stefan Seifert: Swiss dogsledder
- Stefan Humphries: American former professional football player
- Stefan Jervelund: Swedish former professional footballer
- Stefan Ilsanker: Austrian professional footballer
- Stefan Zweigbauer: Austrian former footballer
- Stefan Babović: Montenegrin football player
- Stefan Bell: German professional footballer
- Stefan Banz: Swiss rower
- Stefan Simić: Croatian professional footballer