Stevenson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Stevenson

What does the name Stevenson mean?

Stevenson comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from Steven, and means son of Steven, a variant of Stephen, which meant crown or garland. 1 This personal name was popular throughout Christian Europe during the Middle Ages, mostly due to St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The name was Gaelicized as Mac Stiofáin.

Early Origins of the Stevenson family

The surname Stevenson was first found in Northumberland, where they were established since the early Middle Ages at Knaresdale Hall, and at Newcastle on Tyne. By 1150, they had moved north to Scotland in the parish of Newlands in Peebles (now part of the Strathclyde and Border regions), where Stevene Stevenson swore an oath of allegiance (recorded on the Ragman Rolls) to King Edward I of England during the latter's brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. Another early Scottish record of this surname dates back to 1372, when one Nichol fiz ('son of') Steven, chaplain of Scotland, was given a license to take shipping at London or Dovorre. 2

The name is "confined for the most part to the northern half of England, being especially frequent in county Durham, and afterwards in the North and East Ridings and Northumberland. It is also well established in Lincolnshire, and has made a substantial advance into the midlands as far as Warwickshire. Strangely enough it has an independent home in Sussex and Berks, where Stevens is also common. Generally speaking, however, it is absent or rare in the southern part of England, where its place is supplied by Stephens and Stevens. The Stevensons extend in force across the Scottish border, but do not usually reach beyond the Forth and the Clyde." 3

Early History of the Stevenson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stevenson research. Another 209 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1388, 1454, 1455, 1477, 1479, 1505, 1548, 1580, 1594, 1781, 1848 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Stevenson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stevenson Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Stevenson has appeared as Stevenson, Stephenson, Stephinson, Stevenston, Steenson, Stenson, Steinson, Stinson, Stephenton, Stynson, Stevensint, Stevensynd, Stevensent, Stympson, Stevensend, Stevensant, Steanson, Stevensyn, Stephenston, Stephensyn, Stevinson, Stevensan, Stevensind, Stevensane, Stimpson and many more.

Early Notables of the Stevenson family

More information is included under the topic Early Stevenson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stevenson World Ranking

the United States, the name Stevenson is the 345^th most popular surname with an estimated 77,097 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Stevenson is ranked the 297^th most popular surname with an estimated 14,772 people with that name. 5 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Stevenson is the 689^th popular surname with an estimated 63 people with that name. 6 Australia ranks Stevenson as 240^th with 14,208 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Stevenson as 85^th with 4,418 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Stevenson as 155^th with 34,021 people. 9

Migration of the Stevenson family to Ireland

Some of the Stevenson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stevenson migration to the United States +

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Stevenson or a variant listed above:

Stevenson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Andrew Stevenson, who arrived at Charlestown Massachusetts in 1630
Andrew Stevenson settled at Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1630
Rich Stevenson, (Steevenson), aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe" 11
Christ Stevenson, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 11
And Stevenson, (Steevenson), who arrived in Virginia in 1650 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stevenson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Allen Stevenson, who arrived in America in 1700 11
James Stevenson, who arrived in New England in 1728 11
Thomas Stevenson, who landed in Virginia in 1740 11
Barnabas Stevenson, who landed in America in 1760-1763 11
Robert Stevenson, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1763
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stevenson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Stevenson, who arrived in America in 1802 11
James Stevenson, who arrived in America in 1810 11
Martha Stevenson, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1811 11
Thomas Stevenson, who landed in America in 1811 11
Isaac Stevenson, aged 32, who landed in New York in 1812 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stevenson migration to Canada +

Stevenson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Stevenson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
William and Mathew Stevenson, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in 1760 12
Martha Stevenson, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1778
Mr. William Stevenson U.E. who settled in St. Stephen, New Brunswick c. 1784 13

Stevenson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Stevenson, aged 65, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
Andrew Stevenson, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
Donald Stevenson, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
Samuel Stevenson, who arrived in Quebec in 1821
Sam Stevenson, who landed in Canada in 1821
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stevenson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Samuel Stevenson, (George), British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Mr. William Stevenson, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11

Second Fleet

Mr. Thomas Stevenson, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Mr. John Stevenson, (1761 - 1846), aged 29, British settler convicted in Lincolnshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing a cow, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11

Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Stevenson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Stevenson, a butcher, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Thomas Stevenson, a nailor, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
David Stevenson, Scottish convict from Edinburgh, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 29, 1828, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. William Stevenson, (b. 1797), aged 31, English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 25th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Thomas Stevenson, (Steel) who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 24th March 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stevenson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Stevenson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Burleigh R Stevenson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Thomas Stevenson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Isabella Blair Stevenson, aged 50, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Philip Laing" in 1848
Ann Stevenson, aged 30, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Philip Laing" in 1848
James Stevenson, aged 26, a farmer, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Philip Laing" in 1848
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stevenson migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17

Stevenson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Christopher Stevenson, (Steevenson), aged 19, who landed in St Christopher in 1635 11
Mr. Christopher Stevenson, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 18
Richard Stevenson, who settled in Barbados in 1654

Contemporary Notables of the name Stevenson (post 1700) +

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), Scottish author of Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Margie Lee Stevenson (1913-1983), née Amis, American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Venetia Stevenson (1938-2022), born Joanna Venetia Invicta Stevenson, an English-born, American film and television actress, daughter of the director Robert Stevenson, known for Day of the Outlaw (1959), Island of Lost Women (1959), Studs Lonigan (1960), Seven Ways from Sundown (1960), The City of the Dead (1960) and many more
Richard Stevenson Lipez (1938-2022), known by his pen name Richard Stevenson, an American journalist and mystery author, best known for his Donald Strachey mysteries
Colby Stevenson (b. 1997), American silver medalist freestyle skier at the 2022 Winter Olympics from Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Thyra Kay Stevenson (1944-2020), American politician, Member of the Idaho House of Representatives (2012-2014)
Harold Moncreau Stevenson Jr. (1929-2018), American painter known for his paintings of the male nude
William S. Stevenson, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Clay Center, Kansas, 1959-73 19
William Henry Stevenson (1891-1978), American Republican politician, La Crosse County District Attorney, 1940; U.S. Representative from Wisconsin 3rd District, 1941-49; Defeated, 1948 20
... (Another 150 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Stevenson family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. Anthony James Leonard Stevenson (d. 1979), New Zealander passenger, from Picton, South Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 20
Mrs. Margaret Stevenson (1881-1914), née Hardy Irish Third Class Passenger from Belfast, Ireland who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 21
Mrs. Fanny Stevenson (1873-1914), née Riddell Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
Mr. Charles Alexander Stevenson (1867-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
Mrs. Christina Stevenson (1895-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
... (Another 17 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Stevenson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Coelum non solum
Motto Translation: Heaven not earth

Sources +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1828 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1828
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 25) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance