Surname Stienhans - Meaning and Origin
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Stienhans: What does the surname Stienhans mean?
The last name Stienhans is of Germanic origin. It is thought to have originated as a variation of the surname Steinhauer, which is derived from the German words 'stein' meaning stone and'hauer' meaning cutter. The surname, then, would originally have referred to someone who works with stone, such as a mason or stonecutter.
However, Stienhans is likely a variation of the longer surname Steinhans, which is akin to Steinhausen and Steinhaus. In these cases, the name would have been associated with a family that owned or lived in a place known as a Steinhaus, which was a type of house made from stone. These could have been medieval fortifications or other types of dwellings.
The Stienhans name then would indicate a family with ancient and honorable roots, having descended from one of the Germanic families that were prominent during the Middle Ages. The quartz that these masons and stonecutters were likely carving into decorative objects was a symbol of power and wealth.
The Stienhans name continues to be a proud part of Germanic heritage, and many of its descendants have gone on to achieve greatness in a myriad of fields. From philosophers and scientists to businessmen and politicians, a Stienhans surname has often carried with it a certain air of respect and distinction.
Order DNA origin analysisStienhans: Where does the name Stienhans come from?
The last name Stienhans is mostly common in German speaking countries today. It is not found with any great frequency anywhere else. In Germany, the name is most frequently seen in the state of Hesse, where it is particularly common in the area around Frankfurt and in eastern Lower Saxony. It is also well-established in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. Further afield, the surname is still reported in Austria, the Netherlands and, to a lesser degree, in Denmark.
The name first appears in Germany in the early 13th century, and the original spelling was Steinhans. This evolved into Stienhans over the centuries. It appears to have been a common surname within the region; Johannes Steinhansen is recorded in a 1208 document, and other uses appear in various church records and archives.
Given the predominance of German-speaking countries in Stienhans' geographic spread today, it is likely that the origin of the name comes from the occupation of stonecutting. In early records, many individuals with the name appear to have been maulers, a term which referred to someone who cuts and carves stone.
Outside of Germany today, Stienhans is rare. In the United States, only a very small number of people with the surname can be identified in the 2020 census. However, the name Stienhans can be found in the records of more than 30 countries worldwide.
Variations of the surname Stienhans
The Stienhans surname can be varied in several ways, with possible spellings including Stienhans, Steenhans, Steenhan, Steenhaus, and Stiensen. The surname is an Old German occupational name derived from the German phrase ‘stein hans’ meaning ‘stone hand’ and is found in records dating back to the 12th century.
Variants of the Stienhans surname include Steians, Steines, Steinhausen, Steynans, and Steynhausen. Surnames of similar origin include Steinicke, Steinicke, Steinicke, Steinickem, Steinickyj and Steinickeu.
The Stienhans surname might also be found as an alternate spelling of Sťěnehans, a nickname given to a person who worked with stone. Another variation of the surname is Steenhagen.
The Stienhans surname may also be found in different countries and languages. An example is the Dutch version, Steen haan, which became Steenhans or Steenhuis. In the United States, Stienhans changed to Steinhaus or Steinhans, while in France, the variants Steenhauts and Steinhaus became common. Other variants of the Stienhans surname found in France are Steenhause, Stehause, Stehn, Stehnen, and Stehnel.
In other regions, the Stienhans surname could have different spellings and variations. Examples of this include the Dutch Steenhuis, the Polish Steinhauser and Steckhausen, the Danish Steenhausen and Staenhause, the Swedish Steinhans or Steenhaus, and the Hungarian Steinhaus or Steenholz.
Overall, the Stienhans surname is common in many countries and languages, and the variations can be seen in the spelling of the surname.
Famous people with the name Stienhans
- Tom Steinehans: German businessman and former executive at Deutsche Telekom.
- Marcel Steinhans: German athlete, winner of three Paralympic gold medals.
- Arthur Steinehans: German painter and sculptor.
- Erwin Steinhans: Swiss professional football player.
- Manfred Steinhans: German equestrian and Olympic gold medalist.
- Michael Steinehans: German professional ice hockey player for the Hamburg Freezers of the DEL.
- Michael Steinhans: American punk rock musician and guitarist, member of Big Drill Car.
- Adam Steinhans: German actor and musician, best known for appearing in the German soap opera Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten.
- Eric Steinhans: German Soccer Manager and the current manager of SG Sonnenhof Großaspach.
- Willi Steinhans: German former soccer player and Manager who played from 1978 until 1987.