Surname Stenson - Meaning and Origin

Stenson: What does the surname Stenson mean?

The surname Stenson is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the personal name Stephen, with the addition of the suffix '-son', meaning 'son of'. Stephen is a biblical name, coming from the Greek 'Stephanos', meaning 'crown' or 'garland'. Therefore, Stenson could be interpreted as 'son of the crowned one' or 'son of Stephen'. It is a patronymic surname which was common in the region, illustrating a simple way of identifying individuals by their male lineage. The use of 'son' at the end of surnames became popular in England following the Norman Conquest in 1066, with a large number of English surnames carrying this suffix. Due to its origins, Stenson could denote a familial relation to a person named Stephen or could potentially denote a descendent from a line of individuals associated with royalty or nobility, symbolized through the 'crown' meaning in the original name Stephen. However, the exact lineage and meaning can vary greatly among individuals bearing this surname.

Stenson: Where does the name Stenson come from?

The last name Stenson is most commonly found in Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden and Norway. There is also a prevalence of Stensons in North America and parts of Europe.

According to the official Forebears website, the surname Stenson is found most frequently in the United States and is the 891st most popular last name in the world. Approximately 6,775 people share the name in the US, with the majority of them living in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.

In Sweden, the Stenson surname occurs most commonly in the southern part of the country with just over one thousand Stenson households. Similarly, the name is most common in Norway’s western parts.

France and Germany, too, have a history of Stensons living there, with the name having first been found in various parts of France in the 16-17th centuries. Though with much smaller numbers, Stensons are also found in Lithuania, Ireland and Australia.

Today, those with the Stenson name, whether from the United States or one of the European countries, are part of a much larger global family.

Variations of the surname Stenson

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Stenson include Stensen, Stenston, Stensonn, Staunch, Stanton, and Steanson.

The Stenson surname originates from the Old English word stan (meaning stone), and was likely first born by someone who worked with stone in some fashion. Examples include those who worked in the building industry or masonry, and also people carrying out carving, sculpting and stonecutting. During the Middle Ages, the name similarly became known for people who lived near a rocky outcrop, a stony field, or a stone cross.

The Stenson spelling variant first appeared in the 15th century and has since stayed prevalent in northern England; particularly in Lancashire and Cumbria. Stensen is a variant common among Germanic countries. In Ireland, the surname is spelled as both Stenson and Staunton, while in Scotland it is spelled as Steanson.

In the United States, the Stenson surname is becoming increasingly more common, partly due to immigration. Notable bearers of the Stenson surname include British rock singer Sean Stenson, actor and director Jim Stenson and legendary golf player Henrik Stenson.

Famous people with the name Stenson

• Henrik Stenson, professional golfer
• Henrik Stenson, Swedish actor and comedian
• Daniel Stenson, American actor
• Magnus Stenson, Swedish actor and filmmaker
• Erica Stenson, professional wrestler
• Larry Stenson, American country music artist
• Tori Stenson, American singer-songwriter
• Linnea Stenson, Swedish figure skater
• Nils Stenson, Swedish-born artist
• Gunnar Stenson, American Olympic speed skater
• Jacob Stenson, Norwegian footballer
• Ingemar Stenson, Swedish businessman and former CEO
• Jon Stenson, Danish squash player
• Sophie Stenson, British Paralympic swimmer
• Roger Stenson, American pro skier
• Anna Stenson, Swedish swimmer and Olympic medalist
• Åsa Stenson, Swedish politician
• Ane Stenson, Norwegian singer
• Kristina Stenson, Swedish national judo champion
• Eddie Stenson, Scottish actor

Other surnames

StensakerStensenStensson