Surname Steinforth - Meaning and Origin
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Steinforth: What does the surname Steinforth mean?
The last name Steinforth is of German origin and can mean either "stone river" or "river of stone". It is thought to derive from the German word "stein" meaning "stone" combined with "furt" meaning "river". The approximate translation of the name is "river of stones".
The Steinforth name is still found in Germany and is used largely as a surname as well as an unrelated first name. The surname dates back to at least the 1800s and is known to have been present in several locations throughout Germany, including Schleswig-Holstein and Hesse.
One source traces a notable bearer of the name as early as 1409, when one Joseff Steinforth recorded a property transfer in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, near present day northern Germany. During the 1600s several branches of Steinforths settled in Wolfenbuttel in the south of the country.
Today, people with the Steinforth name are proud to be a part of a prominent German family with a very rich history and are proud to carry a name they can trace back to their ethnic roots. They may often bear various symbols, such as the coat of arms of the Steinforth family, as a reminder of their ancestors and all they have achieved throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisSteinforth: Where does the name Steinforth come from?
The last name Steinforth is thought to have originated in Germany and is mostly found in Bavaria, particularly in Garmisch-Partenkirchen where the Steinforth family arrived in the 17th century. The Steinforth family name also extends to Austria, Italy, and a number of other countries within Europe.
In the United States, the Steinforth family name can be found in a variety of states ranging from Arizona to Wisconsin. In Canada, the Steinforth family name is known to be present in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Other countries that have citizens bearing the Steinforth name include Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.
In addition to the multiple areas listed above, the Steinforth name can also be found in certain Latin American countries. Examples of countries that contain Steinforth citizens include Mexico, Brazil, and Peru.
This family name is one of the oldest in Europe and its presence can be felt all over the world. In 2020, the Steinforth family name remains one of the most common last names in the world.
Variations of the surname Steinforth
The surname Steinforth is of German origin and is derived from the old language, meaning "stone." It is derived from the words Stein and forth which translates to "in front of the stone." Variants of the name can include Steinforth, Steinford, Steinferth, Steinfer, and Steinfeuer.
The surnames Steinfort and Steinferd are variant forms of the Steinforth surname. Steinfort is derived from the Old High German words stein and forte which mean “strong stone.” Steinferd is derived from the Old High German words stein and ferte which mean “one who leads in stone” These names imply an ancestor who was the leader of a group of people who needed to be shown the way around natural obstacles like rocks and boulders.
The spelling Steinforth can also be found as Staenforth, Stenforth, or Stenferth. Staenforth, is derived from the Old English stan, or stone, and forth, which is an abbreviation of the Anglo-Saxon word for journey. Stenforth is a variation of this spelling. Stenferth is derived from the Old English words stan, or stone, and ferth, which means safe. This suggests that the ancestor of the Stenferth family was one who was trusted or reliable.
The surname Steinforth can also be found spelled as Steinfortz, Steinforz, Steinfors, Steinfurth, Steinwarth, Steinweart, and Steinwert. Steinfortz is derived from an Old Germanic combination of “stone” and “force” and suggests an ancestor who was strong. Steinforz and Steinfors are derived from a combination of “stone” and “forest” and suggests an ancestor who lived in a stone-filled forestland. Steinfurth is derived from a combination of “stone” and “furt” which means a “safe crossing” and suggests an ancestor who was an expert guide in navigating a safe passage through rough terrain. Steinwarth is derived from a combination of “stone” and “guard”-suggesting an ancestor who was tasked with the job of protecting and watching over an area full of rocks and stones. Steinweart is derived from a combination of “stone” and “keeper”, suggesting an ancestor who was a guard or keeper of a stone-built fortress. Steinwert is derived from “stone” and “wright”, suggesting an ancestor who was a mason or stonemason.
Famous people with the name Steinforth
- Benjamin Steinforth: German film director, screenwriter, and producer.
- Marion Steinforth: German television presenter and journalist.
- Adrian Steinforth: German film director and screenwriter.
- Matthias Steinforth: German filmmaker.
- Wolfgang Steinforth: German footballer.
- Jürgen Steinforth: German footballer.
- Bernhard Steinforth: German entrepreneur and former professional skier.
- Christoph Steinforth: German alpine skier.
- Helmut Steinforth: German Olympic equestrian.
- Konrad Steinforth: German politician and geologist.