Surname Steinacker - Meaning and Origin

Steinacker: What does the surname Steinacker mean?

The last name Steinacker is thought to have been derived from the Middle High German word “steinac”, meaning stone-acre, or “stainac”, meaning, stone-field. It was an occupational name, given to those who owned, farmed and worked a piece of land that was situated near a stony area.

Steinackers were likely from the Rhineland or Germany, with historical records showing a Estwin Echenacker, living in the Rhineland-Palatinate in the late 13th century. The spelling of “Steinacker” emerged in the 16th century.

The origin of the name is thought to originate in the Germanic era when people typically adopted one or more identifying, descriptive surname to indicate their place of origin or their family-lineage. Because the word Steinacker means stone-field, it is thought that people bearing the surname came from such areas, perhaps with land that had many stones. It could also have served to distinguish them from those who did not own such property.

In the modern era, Steinackers are found around the world- from Germany to France, to the USA. They are primarily concentrated in the West and Midwest regions of the United States.

Overall, the Steinacker surname indicates a long-standing family line with deep Germanic roots. This surname has great symbolic value, as it points to the resilience of the Steinacker family and their hardworking ancestors who toiled the land and cultivated stone-fields.

Steinacker: Where does the name Steinacker come from?

The last name Steinacker is most common in Germany, although it is found in other countries as well. In Germany, it is especially common in the south of the country, largely in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and a few eastern European countries.

In the U.S., the surname is not as prevalent as it is in Europe. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2018 there were fewer than 1,000 people in the United States bearing the last name Steinacker. The states with the most Steinackers are California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

Few people are now named Steinacker, but it is still a popular name in certain countries. Its popularity in Germany suggests that it likely has a long history there, dating back to the Middle Ages. Its most famous bearer was Jörg Steinacker, a German carpenter and inventor credited with originating the adjustable wrench, or monkey wrench.

Variations of the surname Steinacker

The Steinacker surname has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames stemming from the same origin. The most common variant is Steinecker, which is derived from the Middle High German term “steinicher,” denoting someone who lived near or on a rock. Another variant is Steinegger, which is derived from the Middle High German word “Steinegge” meaning a small stream, likely referring to someone living near a river. The spelling variations Steineck and Steinecken have also been used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Other variants and spellings include Steinacker, Steinecke, Steinich, Steiniche, Steinicke, Steinig, Steiniger, Steinigke, Steinigkeit, Steinmeyer, Steinmüller, Steiner, Steinert, Steinkopf, Steinl, Steinle, and Steinmetz.

Surnames related to Steinacker from other origins include Steinberg, Steinbrecher, Steiner, Steinke, Steinmetz, and Steinmeyer. Each of these surnames likely has a related meaning to the German term “Steinicher” but comes from different backgrounds. Steinberg, from the German words “stein” meaning stone and “berg” meaning mountain, likely denoted a mountain of stones, which was likely a prominent feature in the family history or genetics. Similarly, Steinbrecher denoted someone who worked with stones, and Steinmetz and Steinmeyer likely referred to workers who worked with stones found in rivers or streams, as indicated by the German words “metz” and “meyer” both referring to the occupation of river dredging.

No matter the variation, whether it’s the original German spelling of Steinacker, one of its variants, or one of the surnames related to it, each has their own story and individual history.

Famous people with the name Steinacker

• Carl Steinacker (1877–1955), German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church
• Matthias Steinacker (born 1960), German academic and current professor in mathematics
• Erich Steinacker (1906–1994), Austrian diplomat and politician
• Kay Steinacker (born 1978), German footballer
• Paul Steinacker (born 1958), German ceramic artist
• Friedrich Steinacker (1915-1942), German Luftwaffe ace pilot
• Stefan Steinacker (born 1983), German footballer
• Kurt Steinacker (born 1929), Austrian footballer
• Stephanie Steinacker (born 1976), German physician and professor
• Emmy Steinacker (1904–1941), German modernist painter

Other surnames

SteinachSteinacher