Steerns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Steerns has a history dating as far back as the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a stern person. The surname Steerns is derived from the Old English word styrne, which means severe, strict, uncompromising, and austere.

Early Origins of the Steerns family

The surname Steerns was first found in Buckinghamshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Grendon from early times.

Early History of the Steerns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Steerns research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1596, 1607, 1624, 1642, 1660, 1664, 1669, 1683, 1700, 1713, 1745, 1759 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Steerns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Steerns Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Steerns have been found, including Sterne, Stern, Stearn, Stearns and others.

Early Notables of the Steerns family

Notables of the family at this time include John Sterne, Bishop of Colchester in 1592 and held the post until his death in 1607; and Richard Sterne (c. 1596-1683), English Church of England priest, Bishop of Carlisle in 1660, Archbishop of York from 1664 to 1683. He was the alleged author of the 'Whole Duty of Man.' 1 "On the outbreak of the civil war, Sterne zealously adopted the royalist cause, and in August 1642 he arranged for the despatch of large quantities of college plate to the king. Cromwell, however, who, as one of the burgesses of Cambridge, was engaged...
Another 146 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Steerns Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Steerns family to Ireland

Some of the Steerns family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 173 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Steerns family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Steerns, or a variant listed above: Abigail and Mary Stearns settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; Isaac Stearns, his wife Mary, his son and four daughters settled in Massachusetts in 1630.