Surname Steinbauer - Meaning and Origin

Steinbauer: What does the surname Steinbauer mean?

The last name Steinbauer is of German and Austrian origins. It is derived from the German word “steinbauer” meaning “stone maker”, derived from stein meaning “stone” and bauer meaning “maker”. This occupational surname was given to a person who worked in the stone cutting business, either cutting stone from quarries, carving it into shape, or fashioning it into building materials used in the construction of churches, cathedrals and other large structures.

In the fifteenth century, Steinbauer was a popular surname in Upper Austria where it was associated with several aristocratic families, as well as a community associated with stone working. Over time, the surname spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the United States.

Today, Steinbauer is prominent throughout Europe and United States and is associated with several notable individuals, such as Austrian-American poet Frank H Steinbauer, German-born liberalist Friedrich C Steinbauer and American-Mexican physicist Alonso Steinbauer.

The phrase “steinbauer” and its derivatives have been presented in many historical works, including “The Story of a German Bohemian: Life of Rev. Frank H Steinbauer” (1892) and “Ernst Steinbauer: A History of His Life and Work” (1941). It is also used as a given name, meaning “stone maker”, in several countries.

Steinbauer: Where does the name Steinbauer come from?

The last name Steinbauer is common across many parts of Europe. Its highest concentration today is in Germany, where it is estimated to be the 2,397th most common surname, with approximately 8,700 people in the country bearing it. It is also common in Austria, where it ranked 4,536th most common out of the approximately 5,000 surnames in the country. Outside of Europe, the United States has the highest concentration of Steinbauers, with the name being the 7,890th most popular surname, according to available data. Steinbauer is also well represented in Canada, where it is the 3,060th most common last name.

This surname is well represented within Europe's borders. It is most common in the distinct regions of Bavaria and Thuringia in Germany, as well as the Wachau region of Austria, where it is thought to have originated. The name is believed to derive from the German words "Stein" (‘stone') and “Bauer” (‘peasant’ or ‘farmer’). Steinbauer is likely referring to someone who owned or worked on land rich with stones, or worked with stones in some capacity. It is believed to have been in use by the 10th century, making it one of the oldest German surnames.

Today, Steinbauers are well established across multiple countries in Europe and the United States. It is believed that there are around 16,000 people bearing the last name worldwide.

Variations of the surname Steinbauer

Steinbauer is a German surname originating in the region of Bavaria. The variants of the surname include Steinbacker, Steinbrucher, Steinberger, Steinbrucker, Steinbuch, Steinbuck, Steinbub, Steinbucher, Steinheuer, Steinhauer and Steinkraus.

The variants or spellings of the same origin of Steinbauer generally include slight changes to the spelling or even to the pronunciation of the surname. In some cases, the variants are even completely different in that they focus on a completely different part of the name, such as Steinback instead of Steinbauer.

The surnames most commonly associated with Steinbauer are Steinbacher, Steinberger, Steinheuer, Steinbeck and Steinbuck. Steinbacher is the most common, although it is sometimes spelled with a "K" instead of a "C" at the end. Steinberger often takes on the variants Steinbrecher or Steinbrucher, while Steinbeck and Steinbuck are sometimes spelled with a "C" instead of a "K".

Commonly, the surnames Steinbauer, Steinbacher, Steinbacker, Steinberger, Steinbrucker, Steinbuch, Steinbuck, Steinbub, Steinbucher, Steinheuer, Steinhauer and Steinkraus are all variants or spellings of the same origin. Generally speaking, they represent slight changes in spelling or pronunciation. In some cases, however, the variant surnames can focus on different parts of the name entirely.

Famous people with the name Steinbauer

• Lances Steinbauer: Actor, writer, and director
• Holly Steinbauer: Professional actor and acting coach
• Steve Steinbauer: American entrepreneur and business executive
• Justin Steinbauer: Actor, director, and filmmaker
• Lukas Steinbauer: Austrian alpine skier
• Mark Steinbauer: American professional bass fisherman
• Clay Steinbauer: American professional wakeboarder
• Karen Steinbauer: Professional actress and voice-over artist
• Ryan Steinbauer: American professional surfer
• Hailey Steinbauer: Professional snowboarder
• Jason Steinbauer: Professional street skateboarder
• Denise Steinbauer: Former professional model and actress.
• Robert Steinbauer: Austrian professional miscellaneous athlete
• Monique Steinbauer: Professional fashion model
• Christoph Steinbauer: Sports-business executive
• Jan Steinbauer: Former professional ice hockey player
• Bettina Steinbauer: Austrian professional showjumper
• Günther Steinbauer: Austrian professional football player
• Edgar Steinbauer: Former professional soccer player
• Blake Steinbauer: Professional photographer and entrepreneur

Other surnames

SteinbachSteinbacherSteinbaur