Surname Stillson - Meaning and Origin

Stillson: What does the surname Stillson mean?

The surname Stillson is of English origin and it is considered a variant of the name Stilson, which itself has multiple interpretations. One common interpretation suggests that Stillson is an occupational surname derived from the trade of "stile-smith" or "still-smith", which involved fabricating parts for mills and forges.

In Old English, 'stille' refers to 'quiet', 'peaceful', 'calm', so another interpretation for Stillson is 'son of the peaceful one'.

However, like any name, the significance of the surname Stillson can vary significantly based on regional factors, historical context, and family tradition. Therefore, the true meaning often differs among individuals and families that carry this surname; it is shaped by their personal family history and lineage. It's also worth noting that surnames often evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, etc., rather than to denote any specific inherent meaning.

Stillson: Where does the name Stillson come from?

The surname Stillson is a habitational surname derived from Stirrington, an English village in East Sussex. It is believed to have been first used as a surname during the medieval period, taking its origin from the village of Stirrington near the Hensec and Burham parish boundary. It occurs mainly in countries of British influence, namely the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

In the US, the highest population of people with the surname Stillson is found in Wisconsin, with the largest concentration in Dane County. This is followed by Michigan, Ohio, New York, Missouri, Indiana, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Massachusetts in descending order.

In Canada, Ontario is ranked first with the largest numbers of Stillson, with Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba following.

New South Wales is the most populous state with the surname Stillson in Australia, with Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory in descending order.

In New Zealand, the second most densely populated city, Wellington, is the most populated with the surname Stillson. This is followed by Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin in descending order.

Although the Stillson surname is not the most common surname worldwide, it is still relatively widespread in countries with prominent British influence, such as the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Stillson

The surname Stillson is a German-American surname that originated from the German town of Stillenstadt. This surname was primarily derived from two different names, both found in German: Still, meaning "quiet" or "calm", and Son, which is the German form of the common English surname "Son."

Variants of this surname include Steelman, Stiller, Steelson, Steel, Stiehl, Stieler, Stahl, Styhl, Steilen, Stiller, Stillesen, Steeler, and Styler.

Another way the name Stillson has been spelt is stillsonne, which is the German version of the name. Other variants of the surname Stillson that can be found in Germany are Stellsonne and Stellen.

In addition to these German variants, the surname Stillson can be seen in various English spellings as well. Spellings like Stelson, Steeleman, Stylman, Stellman, Stellem, Stilleman, Steel, and Steelman, are used. The Americanized form of the surname could be either Stillson or Stileson, which is usually the case in the United States.

Surnames with the same origin as Stillson include Stillborn, Rillson, Stilson, Stollson, and Stilgenbauer. Other surnames with the same root are Tillman, Tillson, and Tullman.

In conclusion, the surname Stillson, which originated from German, has several variants and spellings in various languages, including German, English, and Americanized forms. Some of these variants and spellings may even have different surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Stillson

• Gregory Stillson: American politician and the main antagonist of the novel by Stephen King, "The Dead Zone".
• John Stillson: American actor who had roles in a variety of films and television shows, including "The Day After", "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "The Incredible Hulk" and "Dallas".
• Kate Stillson: American actress, best known for her roles in the television series "JAG" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
• Jeff Stillson: American musician, lead guitarist and singer for the punk rock group “Green Day”.
• Henry Stillson: American author, editor and publisher who was the editor-in-chief of the vast Penguin Classics collection.
• Robert Stillson: American actor, producer and director who produced and directed numerous Westerns for television and film, including "Gunsmoke", "The Big Valley" and "Bonanza".
• Jonathan Stillson: American actor who appeared in "Gone with the Wind" and a variety of television shows and films from the 40's and 50's.
• Elizabeth Stillson: American ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre for 15 years, known for her roles in "Giselle", "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker".
• Robert Stillson: American singer-songwriter and trombonist who became famous in the Bavarian music scene upon the release of his album "Stillson and the German Swing Orkestra".
• John Stillson: American photographer and cinematographer who worked with some of the best filmmakers in the world, shooting for "Lawrence of Arabia", "The Shining" and "Fatal Attraction".

Other surnames

Stills