Surname Steinweber - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Steinweber: What does the surname Steinweber mean?
The last name Steinweber is of German origin and is derived from the German words "Stein", meaning stone and "Weber", meaning weaver or maker. The name was likely originally derived from a person's profession or place of origin, as those with the last name Steinweber often worked as stone makers.
The most common spelling of the name Steinweber closely resembles the spelling of the original German name, while other spelling variants such as Steinwever and Steinwaeber are also common. These variants likely became more common in English-speaking countries due to difficulties in pronouncing and spelling the German last name.
The word "Steinweber" has been linked to a variety of archaeological artifacts over the centuries. The term was used to describe stone tools in Germany in the 15th century, and has also been connected with monuments and statues found in Central Europe.
Today, in addition to people whose primary occupation involved working with stone, Steinweber is often used as a surname by people in other professions or to describe religious denominations or ethnicities. The last name Steinweber is mainly found in countries with German-speaking populations such as Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisSteinweber: Where does the name Steinweber come from?
The last name Steinweber is most common in Germany today. According to research conducted by Forebears, it was the 1,072nd most common surname in the country in 2020. It is thought to be derived from a German occupational surname for a stonecutter or stonemason, which in turn derives from the words 'stein' meaning 'stone' and 'weber' which is an old Germanic name meaning 'weaver'.
Within Germany, the name is most predominant in the northern state of Lower Saxony and the south-western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Internationally, it is most common in Switzerland, where it is the 2,042nd most popular name, and in the United States, where it is the 14,543rd most common. In the latter, its highest concentration is in Florida, Nevada and New Jersey. Therefore, it can be estimated that most Steinwebers today live in Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia.
Generally, those with the last name Steinweber are descended from a common ancestor who is believed to have lived many centuries ago and could have been a stonemason or stonecutter. Despite this, Steinwebers are not limited to these countries and can be found scattered all over the world, either as recent immigrants or descendants of the original family from Germany.
Variations of the surname Steinweber
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Steinweber include Steinwegger, Steinweg, Steinwegr, Steinwehr, Steinwehrl, Steinwehrle, Steinwäger, Steenweg, Steenwer, Stenweg, Stenwer, Stinweg and Stinwer.
The surname Steinweber itself is derived from the Middle High German term “steinwegare”, meaning “stone builder” or “stonecutter”. This was a term used to describe a person who specialized in laying stones for roads, bridges and waterways. The name would then have been used as a surname to identify someone who was the descendant of such a craftsman, thus Steinweber meaning “son of the stone builder”.
The variants of this name can be found in Germany and countries with a German-speaking population, the spellings and surnames of the same origin are found in other European countries, and further variations of the surname can be found in the US, Canada, and Brazil.
The variations of the name Steinweber tend to be distinct, but some of the variants are often used interchangeably with each other, such as Steinweg and Steinweger. Additionally, certain spellings have arisen due to regional accents and dialects, such as the Auvergne region of France. Here, the surname is pronounced “stinvair” and is spelled “Stinwer” or “Stinwegr”.
In some cases, the name Steinweber has been corrupted over time by local dialects. In the city of Trier, Germany, for instance, the name is commonly spelled “Schteewer”, due to the local pronunciation of the term “stein” (“schtee”).
Overall, the many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Steinweber, while distinct in many cases, demonstrate the international spread of the surname and how its pronunciation and spelling has been adapted to local dialects.
Famous people with the name Steinweber
- Bruce Steinweber: American football player and All-American at the University of Toledo.
- Eric Steinweber: former NFL linebacker and a Super Bowl XLII champion.
- Allen Steinweber: music producer, engineer and mixer He has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Justin Timberlake, P!nk, Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson.
- Robin Steinweber: motion graphics artist and visual effects supervisor who has worked on films such as Tron: Legacy and Oblivion.
- Maya Steinweber: Singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York. This rising artist has toured with bands like Flor, Hillsburn, and Lowland Hum.
- Deb Steinweber: Award-winning jazz vocalist, recording artist and recording engineer.
- Wade Steinweber: A professional hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL).
- Anna Steinweber: Filmmaker and creative director. Her feature documentary As I Am: The Life and Times of DJ AM has been critically acclaimed.
- Jessica Steinweber: Actress best known for her roles on shows such as 5 Seconds, All My Children, and How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life).
- Robert Steinweber: German author and journalist. He is the author of novels such as The Last Summer and Wolfsbane Accomplice.