Surname Sturtevant - Meaning and Origin
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Sturtevant: What does the surname Sturtevant mean?
The surname Sturtevant is of English origin, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from "Sturtevant," a nickname for someone who was restless or unruly, possibly originating from the Old French 'estourtevant', meaning 'quarrelsome' or 'wag-tail'. The name may have been given to an individual who exhibited these characteristics or behaviors, aligning with the tradition of attributing nicknames based on personal characteristics that later evolved into surnames. This practice was very common in England during the Middle Ages. As such, last names could often provide insight into the jobs, personal characteristics, or locations of individuals during this period. Thus, bearers of the surname Sturtevant could potentially trace their lineage to an ancestor known for their restless or unruly demeanor.
Order DNA origin analysisSturtevant: Where does the name Sturtevant come from?
The last name Sturtevant is most commonly found in the United States today, with a slightly varied spelling of Sturtivant also exists. It appears to have originally derived from a northern English or Scottish origin, being first documented in England in 1296. In the US, the first recorded use of the name was in 1651 when a Thomas Sturdevant arrived in Salem, Massachusetts. In more recent history, the Sturtevant family moved away from its English and Scottish routes and spread out over the United States to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
The US Census of 1940 records the Sturtevants as the 499th most common last name in the country, with 8,193 people sharing the name. In the 2000 US Census, the Sturtevants were ranked 37th of all surnames with 76,073 people claiming the last name as their own; an impressive 8,000 place leap since 1940.
Today, the Sturtevants appear to be more scattered across America then ever before, although they are still heavily concentrated in the New England states. Massachusetts is home to the largest percentage of Sturtevants, with 8,400 people sharing the name in 2012 alone. Texas, Georgia and Florida are next on the list. With such a high population of Sturtevants all over the country, it’s safe to say that the name has become a powerful and iconic part of the American story.
Variations of the surname Sturtevant
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sturtevant include Sturdivant, Sturdivaunt, Sturdevant, Stirtevant, Sturtivant, Sturtavant, Sturtavent, Sturtivint, Sturtiven, Stratevant, and Strutivant.
The origin of this name is English, and it stems from the Old French word “estourdivant,” which means “noisy” or “startling.” The English equivalent term is “sturdevant”, which implies that individuals bearing this surname were known to be daring and assertive.
The surname is found particularly in the Southern United States. Records of the surname date back to the 1600s in the colonial era. Those with the surname came to the United Colonies, namely Virginia and the Carolinas, as settlers from England. The first recorded spelling of the name in the United States of America occurred in 1671 when Thomas Sturdivant was listed in Virginia.
The exact spelling of the surname differs greatly in various records. It has been spelled with a variety of spellings including Sturdivant, Sturdivaunt, Stratevant, Sturtivant, Sturtevant, Sturtiven, Sturtivint, Strutivant, among others.
The Sturdivant Coat of Arms is white with two red chevrons. The crest includes an eagle looking backward with arrows in the talons and a crown above it. The motto on the Coat of Arms reads, “Dat justitia crescat”, meaning “That Justice shall prosper.”
Variants of this name are very common in the United States and Canada today and can be traced down to numerous branches of the same family. The most popular spelling in modern times is Sturtevant.
Famous people with the name Sturtevant
- Kenneth Sturtevant: a Major League Baseball catcher who played in two games with the Washington Senators in 1924.
- J. Lesley Sturtevant: a historian, Harvard professor, and specialist in the economic and social history of late medieval-Early Modern Europe.
- Lacayo Sturtevant: a Nicaraguan political figure who was involved in the government of Anastasio Somoza García.
- Daisy Sturtevant: a writer and journalist who is known for her work with the Red Cross and the war relief effort during World War I.
- Henry Murry Sturtevant: a sailmaker who helped organize the South Pacific Garden Party in the 1820s.
- Clarence Sturtevant: an entomologist known for his work on honeybees and the genetics of their social behavior.
- Seth Sturtevant: a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a pioneer of physical education in Canada.
- Arthur Sturtevant: a cinematographer and pioneer of American movie photography.
- Charles Sturtevant: an inventor and co-founder of the Port Huron Steam Mill Company.
- Max Sturtevant: a Canadian soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross for his actions at the Battle of Vimy Ridge during World War I.