Surname Steingraber - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Steingraber: What does the surname Steingraber mean?
The last name Steingraber is of German origin and is derived from the words “Stein” meaning “stone” and “graber”, a kind of trap instrument used in fishing. The name is believed to have originated from an occupation with someone in the family making his living as a stonemason by constructing stone walls and homestead foundations.
The surname is found in the former German-speaking lands of Central and Eastern Europe, where it is carried by people of different ethnic backgrounds. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland and Lorraine (France).
The Steingräber family lived in a region known as Ober-Lorraine, now part of Lorraine. This region was once under rule of the Counts of Lys and was bought by the French in 1679. It is believed that the Steingraber family moved to the region around this time and settled there.
In modern times, the name is borne by a few hundred families throughout Germany and the surrounding countries. The Steingraber family today is composed of entrepreneurs, technicians, engineers, farmers, tradespeople and professionals from all walks of life.
The name Steingraber is inextricably linked to its historical roots and its association with a hard-working, dedicated family. It carries with it a sense of honor, respect and loyalty to family, and is a reminder of a strong bond to the land and a commitment to honest and diligent labor.
Order DNA origin analysisSteingraber: Where does the name Steingraber come from?
The last name Steingraber is most commonly found in the German speaking countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also present in small numbers in other European countries, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, as well as in the United States.
In Austria, Steingraber is the 599th most popular surname – with an estimated 974 people sharing the name. In Germany, the name can be found in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria. In Switzerland, Steingraber is ranked 8,349th out of the national range of surnames – making up around 0.006% of the total population.
In the United States, Steingraber has a slightly higher presence. In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the name was shared by 2,759 people and located mostly in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Over half of the people bearing the last name Steingraber in the United States were of German descent, and the majority resided in urban centers or their metropolitan areas.
The Steingraber surname is not overly common in Europe and North America. This suggests that those with the last name are likely to keep in contact with one another more so than if it were a popular name.
Variations of the surname Steingraber
The surname Steingraber is one of many origin-based surnames. It is derived from the German word “Stein” which translates to “stone” and “graber” which translates to “grave” in English. The literal translation of Steingraber is “stone grave.”
The Steingraber surname has multiple variants and spellings, some of which are Steinhager, Steingraeber, Steinhäger, Steingäber, Steinhauer, Steingaber, and Steinhauer. These variants and spellings reflect different regional pronunciations of the surname.
The Steinhager variant of this surname is the most common, and originates from the German-speaking regions of Central Europe, notably Alsace and Lorraine. The Steingraeber and Steingaber variants are more commonly found in Bavaria, while the Steinhauer variant Originates from Austria.
Other surnames that share similar origin and meaning to Steingraber include Steinacker, Steinberg, Steiner, Steinkrug, Steinteufel, and Steintaler. These surnames also include various regional variants and spellings.
Overall, Steingraber is one of many German origin-based surnames that were used as a means to identify a person’s place of origin and family lineage. While the various variants and spellings may appear confusing, they all have the same origin and meaning.
Famous people with the name Steingraber
- Sandra Steingraber: an American biologist, ecologist, and writer known for her research and activism on environmental issues, reproductive health, and cancer.
- Kenneth Steingraber: an American businessperson, the Executive Vice President of Worldwide Business Operations at Disney Interactive Groups, who's been featured as one of America's top corporate leaders.
- James W. Steingraber: an American character actor, stage veteran, and voice actor, who's had roles in films such as Back to School and Off Beat.
- Siegfried Steingraber: a German chemist and professor emeritus at the Technical University of Munich, who made significant contributions to the fields of polymer chemistry and molecular biophysics.
- John Steingraber: an American biochemist, acknowledged for his work in researching and developing plant disease control measures.
- Anna Steingraber: an Austrian-born American actress and television director, best known for her roles in the films Hearts of Age and Mary and the Major.
- Peter Steingraber: an American television director and producer, primarily known for directing episodes of the series Undressed and Undeclared.
- Cynthia Steingraber: an American family advocate and public relations specialist, who's currently working as the Media Contact for the Michigan Department of Human Services.
- Steve Steingraber: an American photographer, notable for his landscapes and urban street scenes.
- Tom Steingraber: an American screenwriter and producer, behind films such as Hold On and The Journey of E.T.