Show ContentsStefanski History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German name Stefanski, was formed from the given name Steffen, which comes from the Greek "Stephanos," meaning "crown." Versions of this name are numerous throughout Christian Europe due to the martyr St. Steven.

Early Origins of the Stefanski family

The surname Stefanski was first found in Prussia, where the name gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging feudal society that would shape Europe. It later became more prominent as many branches of the house migrated and acquired foreign estates, some in such distant lands as Utrecht in Holland. Members of this family constantly improved their social status through their great contributions to society.

Early History of the Stefanski family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stefanski research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1616, 1773, 1811, 1832, 1842, 1845 and 1859 are included under the topic Early Stefanski History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stefanski Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Stefanski include Steffens, Stefens, Steven, Stefan, Steffan, Steffe, Steffen, Stephan, Stoffen, Steffl, Steffensen, Stephansen, Stilfens, Stilphen, Stilphens and many more.

Early Notables of the Stefanski family

Notable figures of the time with the name Stefanski were Johann Steffens (1560-1616), a German composer, who wrote German madrigals and dance-songs, as well as sacred and instrumental pieces. Also notable was Henrik Steffens (1773-1845), a German author-philosopher of Norwegian extraction, who moved to Germany after his controversial...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stefanski Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stefanski Ranking

In the United States, the name Stefanski is the 11,298th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [1]


United States Stefanski migration to the United States +

Prussia played an extremely influential role in shaping modern German history. It remained a part of Germany until after the Second World War. Prussia was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. Many Prussians became residents of these new countries after the War, and many migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly to Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Stefanski were

Stefanski Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Adolf Stefanski, aged 9, who landed in America from Rolice, Russia, in 1908
  • Anton Stefanski, aged 28, who landed in America from Loojenin, Russia, in 1908
  • Bronislawa Stefanski, aged 2, who settled in America from Loojenin, Russia, in 1908
  • Andrey Stefanski, aged 18, who immigrated to the United States from Szebletowa, Russia, in 1909
  • Anastasia Stefanski, aged 35, who landed in America from Vakel, Germany, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Stefanski (post 1700) +

  • Edward Stefanski, American Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations for the Toronto Raptors
  • Edward J. Stefanski, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
  • Helen D. Stefanski, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1980 [2]
  • Patryk Stefañski (b. 1990), Polish footballer
  • Stanley Michael "Bud" Stefanski (b. 1955), retired Canadian professional NHL ice hockey centre


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook