Surname Steilner - Meaning and Origin
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Steilner: What does the surname Steilner mean?
The last name Steilner is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “steen” meaning “stone”. It likely originated as an occupational name for someone who worked in the stone industry. It could also have been a geographic name referring to someone who lived near a prominent stone feature or region that was a source of stone. This type of name is referred to as a habitational or topographic name.
In the old German naming system, last names often described a person’s occupation, physical characteristics, or place of origin. This type of last name is referred to as a “descriptive surname”. Steilner may refer to the steepness of a landform. It could also refer to a mountain or a crag. In some cases, Steilner may have been a nickname for someone who was as strong as stone.
The phrase “Stein und Eisen bricht” was popularized in the 1950s and refers to someone who is as strong as stone or iron. This phrase was especially meaningful during the post-war period as a reminder that resilience is necessary to build and rebuild a better future.
The last name Steilner likely began as an occupational or geographic name. Depending on the context, it could also have been a nickname for someone who was as strong as stone. The phrase “Stein und Eisen bricht” captures the spirit of the name and the importance of resilience after tough times.
Order DNA origin analysisSteilner: Where does the name Steilner come from?
The surname Steilner is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a very common surname in the southern region of Germany, particularly prevalent in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is estimated that there are approximately 17,000 individuals bearing the surname Steilner living in the Federal Republic of Germany today. Steilner is derived from an old German word meaning ‘teacher’, suggesting that individuals with this name may have historically descended from schoolmasters or village teachers in southern Germany.
Steilner can be found in other countries across the continent, particularly in neighbouring Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is also found in small numbers in the United States, where it is believed to have been brought by a limited number of immigrants from Europe during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Steilner surname is quite rare elsewhere in the world. However, in 2020 a scientific study on the geography of surnames indicated that the incidence of Steilner had increased slightly in the countries of Chile and Argentina, suggesting some emigration of this name from Germany to the southern parts of South America in the past century.
Variations of the surname Steilner
The Steilner surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin:
1. Stailer
2. Staehler
3. Staeller
4. Stailor
5. Staillor
6. Staelor
7. Staler
8. Steler
9. Steller
10. Stiler
11. Stilner
The Steilner surname is a combination of old German and Latin elements. The first element comes from the old German word ‘stahl’, meaning ‘steel’. This is likely, to have originally been a nickname for someone known for their strength and sturdiness, like a piece of steel. The second element comes from the Latin word ‘er’, meaning ‘man.’ Added together, the original meaning of the surname means ‘man of steel’.
Other surnames associated with Steilner include Stiller, Staylor, Stoyler, Pillar, and Pilner. These surnames are most likely variations of the spelling of the same root word, with the addition or subtraction of a single letter.
Over the years, the Steilner surname has evolved into numerous variants throughout Europe. This includes names like Steiner, Stener, Stayner, Steenner, Steerner, and Steirner.
The Steilner surname is common among families in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Canada. Its variants and spellings are also found in other parts of the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Steilner
- Gustav Steilner: founder of television station 'ORF'.
- Malcolm Steilner: an American director and actor with a prolific film and television career.
- Marc Steilner: German professional football defender.
- Robert Steilner: American actor known for roles in shows like “Criminal Minds” and “Charmed”.
- Jan-Eric Steilner: German actor in films such as “Wilsberg: Der goldene Trimith”.
- Pavol Steilner: Slovak actor of stage, film and television.
- Johnny Steilner: former basketball player who played in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns.
- Neal Steilner: Mexican actor and producer, best known for his roles in the film “The Vacation of a Lifetime”.
- Heide Steilner: German voice-over actor, primarily known for her dubbing work on family films.
- Stefan Steilner: German artist and sculptor.