Surname Sturgin - Meaning and Origin

Sturgin: What does the surname Sturgin mean?

The last name Sturgin is of Anglo-Saxon and Olde English origin and is derived from the Old English words “Stur” meaning “a bull” and “gin” which was an olde English term for “possession” or “inhabitant”. It is a locational surname which was most commonly used to describe someone who lived near or on a farm that was surrounded by a stur, or bull pasture. This would be indicated by the presence of the beasts in the background, a prominent feature in any English landscape.

The surname Sturgin is most associated with the person who resided at a specific location or property which was signified by the presence of a bull. It is also quite likely that the property in question was highly sought after due to its location, of which it’s inhabitants may have been proud of and referred to themselves as being “Sturgin”.

The English surname Sturgin is an interesting one, and can be found in several different forms including Sturgen, Sturgon and Storgen. It is mainly found in England, although it is also common in other countries. The possibility exists that the surname may not be of Anglo-Saxon origin, and could have been a descriptive nickname given to a person who resembled a bull.

Overall, the surname Sturgin is derived from and denotes an English farming community of old. It is a reminder of the close ties with farming and animals was in the past as people relied upon them heavily. In this way, the name Sturgin symbolises a connection to heritage and the hard work that was required in order to survive.

Sturgin: Where does the name Sturgin come from?

The last name Sturgin is most commonly found in the United States, predominantly in (Mid)western states such as Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. There is also a small population in the UK.

The origins of the surname Sturgin are relatively unknown. What is known is that it is most likely a variation of the Dutch and German surname Sturgen or Sturgis. The surname could have first appeared in the United States during the late 19th century, when many European immigrants came to the country.

Today, Sturgin is a relatively uncommon surname in the United States, appearing in fewer than 0.01% of households in the US 2020 census. Sturgin is particularly rare in North Dakota, with fewer than five households appearing in the same census.

Surnames with similar spelling, such as Sturgis and Sturgill, are also found across the country, but are slightly more common. There are also people with the Sturgin surname living in Australia, the UK, Canada, and other countries, though they are few in number.

Variations of the surname Sturgin

The surname Sturgin has quite a few variants and spellings. These include Sturgen, Sturgian, Sturgins, Sturgon, and Sturgeon. The surname is believed to have originated from places in England and Scotland. It is thought to be derived from a corruption of the place name 'Stourg(h)on', derived from the Old English 'sturg', meaning 'strong'. The name may also be derived from a Scandinavian personal name, 'Sturgin'.

During the Middle Ages, some forms of the surname were expanded to include other elements or suffixes. These include Stourgion, Sturgen, Sturgess, Sturgin, Sturgis, Sturges, Sturgin, Sturgean and Sturgen. The forms of this name may have been influenced by dialectal or regional differences. In some instances, the surnames may represent a patronymic, derived from the personal name of the father of the original bearer of the surname.

Another form of this surname is Sturk or Sturgeon. This common name may have derived from a place name, such as Sturgeon, Schrurk or Sturk, deriving from Middle Low German 'sturk', meaning 'ogre'.

The various permutations of this surname help us to understand how surnames change and adapt over time, and also the many cultural influences on surnames. In some regions, the surname has been recorded with a double g, whilst in Scotland and Ireland, the name is generally spelled with a single g. Corruptions of the name may have also been influenced by language differences, such as ‘Sturgon’ or ‘Sturgins’ for ‘Sturgeon’.

Famous people with the name Sturgin

• Jay Sturgin: Jay is an American paralympic swimmer who has competed in eight Paralympic Games.
• Eric Sturgin: Eric is a contemporary artist and arts instructor whose work has been featured in national exhibitions and permanent installations.
• Rebecca Sturgin: Rebecca is a British-born professional racecar driver and entrepreneur.
• Walter Sturgin: Walter was an American sculptor and art educator whose work included commissions from the White House and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorial.
• Steve Sturgin: Steve is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter whose work has been featured on some of the biggest radio stations in the USA.
• Robert Sturgin: Robert is a French actor best known for his role in the French drama series ‘Les Racines du Mal’.
• Harry Sturgin: Harry was an American Major League Baseball player for the Chicago Cubs in the early 1940s.
• Alan Sturgin: Alan is a renowned Scottish actor, appearing in the original West End production of the musical ‘Blood Brothers’.
• David Sturgin: David is an Oscar-winning British cinematographer best known for his work in the film ‘The African Queen.’
• John Sturgin: John was an scientist who specialized in constructing robotic submarines for oceanographic research.

Other surnames

SturgenSturgeon