Surname Stiff - Meaning and Origin

Stiff: What does the surname Stiff mean?

The surname Stiff is of English origin and is believed to be an occupational name. It likely emerged during the Middle Ages in Britain. The name is derived from the Old English term "stiopan" or "styf", which means to make stiff or solid. This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have been involved in trades that required making items stiff or solid, possibly in fabric or cushion manufacturing.

The Stiff surname may also be a topographic name for someone who lived in a steep or precipitous place, from the Middle English, Old English stife, or from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements sti ‘battle’ + frid ‘peace’. Like many surnames, over the centuries the exact meaning can become lost or altered, and it may have different origins or meanings in different regions.

It is not a particularly common surname today, and is most frequently found in England and the United States. Notable people with the surname Stiff include British music industry executive Pete Stiff, and Australian 19th-century cricketer George Stiff. As with all surnames, it is impossible to definitively trace the exact origin or original meaning.

Stiff: Where does the name Stiff come from?

The last name Stiff is most often found today in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. In the United Kingdom alone, the name is most commonly found around the West Midlands, with concentrations in the counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. However, the name is not limited to these areas. It can also be found in relatively high numbers in Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Warwickshire.

The name is not exclusive to the United Kingdom and its neighboring countries. In fact, the name Stiff can be found across several countries in Europe, as well as in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In Europe, it is common in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany. In these countries, the name is more common in certain areas. For example, the family is particularly present in the counties of Noord-Holland, Limburg, and Gelderland in the Netherlands.

Outside of Europe, the name appears in far smaller numbers. In the United States, Stiff is most commonly found in the states of Texas, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Similarly, in Canada, the name is concentrated in the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. Lastly, in Australia, the Stiff family appears mainly in New South Wales and Victoria.

Variations of the surname Stiff

The surname Stiff has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variations are derived from the Old English word "stif" meaning stiff or rigid. The most common variants of the surname are Stiffe, Stiffel, Stiffell, Stifel, Stifle, Stiefel, Stiefell and Stiefel.

Other common variations include Stivel, Stiwell, Styffell, Steevel, Steffel, Stefel, Steffle, Stifel, Stophle, Stopel, Steyffel, Steffl, Steffell, and Steffill. Less common variants include Stypel, Stypell, Stiffleton, Styffleton, Stefflton, Steffton, Steeflee, Stieffel, Steifel, Steyfield, Steiffell, Steyfel, and Steiffl.

In addition to the variations of spelling, there are also surnames of the same origin. These surnames include Stiffman, Stiffler, Stifleman, Stible, Stifl, Stibley, Stiefl, Stiefley, Stieflman, Stieflmeyer, Stiffman, Stiffler, and Stifleman.

The surname Stiff is also found in other countries such as Scotland and Germany, where it is spelled Steeves, Stiefe, Stipper, Steffer, Stephs and Stives.

In Scotland, the surname is also found spelled Steeple, Stapel, Steepels and Steppels.

In Germany, the surname is also spelled Stiffle, Stiefell, Stifle, Stieffel, and Stieffle.

In Ireland, the surname is spelled Stiffe or Stifft.

Famous people with the name Stiff

• Ashton Stiff, American soccer player
• Paul Stiff, English cricketer
• Bobby Stiff, American actor and comedian
• Daniel Stiff, Welsh footballer
• Zac Stiff, Australian rugby player
• Aaron Stiff, American actor and film director
• Dave Stiff, English former professional wrestler
• Eddie Stiff, American rapper
• Colleen Stiff, American artist
• Leah Stiff, American singer-songwriter
• Jack Stiff, English footballer
• John Stiff, American professional boxer
• Nina Stiff, Canadian actress
• Richard Stiff, American former professional baseball player
• Thomas Stiff, English former professional footballer
• Kevin Stiff, American television host
• David Stiff, American former professional golfer
• Rob Stiff, American professional skateboarder
• Matt Stiff, American poker player
• Leon Stiff, British entrepreneur

Other surnames

Stiffy