Stien Surname History

Origins Available:
Netherlands
Germany

The long and noble heritage behind the name of Stien first began in medieval Austria. While the patronymic and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of the father and mother respectively, are the most common form of a hereditary surname in Germany, occupational surnames also emerged during the late Middle Ages. Many people, such as the Stien family, adopted the name of their occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Stien literally means "stone" 1 and was an occupational name for a stone cutter. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old German word stein, meaning stone. In some cases the name may be topographical in nature and derive from the fact the original bearer lived near a prominent stone or rock.

Early Origins of the Stien family

The surname Stien was first found in Austria, in the cities of Berne and Neuchatel, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in regional political struggles for power. They branched into many houses in Austria, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Stien family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stien research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1796, 1809, 1810, 1820, 1838, 1863 and 1935 are included under the topic Early Stien History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stien 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 Stien include Steiner, Steinert, Steinertz, Steinerth, Steinere, Stein, Steine and many more.

Early Notables of the Stien family

Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stien Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stien migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians 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 Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Stien were

Stien Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johan Ebert Stien, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
John Adam Stien, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1765 2

Stien Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christina Stien, who arrived in Baltimore in 1833
Henry Stien, who arrived in Baltimore in 1833
Franceska Stien, who settled in Baltimore in 1833
Louis Stien, aged 36, who landed in Missouri in 1844 2
John Stien, aged 25, who arrived in Missouri in 1846 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Stien (post 1700) +

Stien Kaiser (b. 1938), Dutch multiple medal award winning speed skater, Dutch Sportswoman of the Year in 1967

Citations +

Bahlow, Hans, Dictionary of German Names. translated by Edda Gentry, Wisconsin: The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-924119-35-7)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)