Contents [hide]

Stephens History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Stephens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Stephens is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Stephens family name comes from the ancient personal name Stephen, meaning crown, wreath, or garland.

"This name was introduced into Britain by the Normans, with whom it was a favorite. Although found occasionally in England before 1066 its use then was due really to Christian tradition, Stephen (Stephanos) having been the first Christian martyr after Christ." 1

"This scripture name, like many others, was not introduced here until the Norman Conquest, after which we find it in the form of Fitz-Stephen. It occupies a large place among our surnames in the usual genitive forms of Stephens. Stevens, Steevens, Stephenson, Stevenson." 2

Early Origins of the Stephens family

The surname Stephens was first found in Gloucestershire where they were descended from FitzStephen, a Breton knight who was conjecturally descended from Count Stephen of Brittany and accompanied William the Conqueror into England and fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Stephen FitzAirard was the captain of the "Mora," the ship which brought William the Conqueror over from Normandy. His son, Thomas FitzStephen (died 1120) was captain of the ill-fated White Ship (la Blanche-Nef), which sank off Barfleur, Normandy, on 25 November 1120.

There was of course, King Stephen (c. 1097-1154,) King of England (1135-1154); he was the son of Stephen, Count of Blois and Chartres. Robert FitzStephen (d.1183) was a Welsh soldier of Norman descent and one of the leaders of the Norman invasion of Ireland.

William Fitzstephen (fitz Stephen) (died c. 1191) was a cleric and administrator in the service of Thomas Becket.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Gilbert filius Stephani, Lincolnshire; Jordan filius Stephani, Essex; and Richard Stephen, Oxfordshire. Note the Stephani spelling was the Latin form of the name 3

The name is "mostly confined south of a line drawn west from the Wash, being represented in the counties north of that line by Stephenson and Stevenson. Its great home is in Cornwall, and there are secondary centres in Sussex, and in South Wales and in the adjoining English county of Hereford. The name is said to have been introduced after the Conquest. In Cornwall it is of very ancient date, as is evidenced by the family of Stephens of Tregeuna, who, according to Lower, are the descendants of the Stephyns of St. Ives in the. reign of Edward IV., their name being written then in the singular." 4

In Scotland, "Ada filius Stephani was burgess of Elgin in 1286 (REM., 221), Henricus Stephani had a charter of land in Ayr in 1409 (Friars Ayr, p. 43), William Stephani appears as rector of the church of Lestalric in 1418 (CMN., 28), John Stephani was burgess of Forfar in 1434 (RAA., II, 71) and witness in Brechin in 1435. Nichol fitz Steven, chaplain of Scotland, had license to take shipping at London or Dovorre at pleasure in 1372 " 1

Early History of the Stephens family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stephens research. Another 211 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1589, 1603, 1628, 1629, 1645, 1647, 1653, 1656, 1659, 1660, 1667, 1669, 1679, 1683, 1718, 1805 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Stephens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stephens Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Stephens have been found, including Stephens, Stevens, Stephen, Steven, Stiven and many more.

Early Notables of the Stephens family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir John Stephens of Finglas
Nathaniel Stephens (1589-1660), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1628 and 1653, supporter of the Parliamentarian cause in the English Civil War
John Stephens (1603-1679), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1645 and 1660, Member of Parliament for Tewkesbury
James Stephens (died 1683), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Gloucester (1656-1659)
William Stephens (c. 1647-1718), a radical English Whig minister

Stephens World Ranking

In the United States, the name Stephens is the 165^th most popular surname with an estimated 141,759 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Stephens is ranked the 666^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,840 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Stephens is the 175^th popular surname with an estimated 17,952 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Stephens as 197^th with 2,833 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Stephens as 270^th with 22,416 people. 9

Migration of the Stephens family to Ireland

Some of the Stephens family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stephens migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Stephens were among those contributors:

Stephens Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Stephens, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "George" 10
Mr. John Stephens, aged 35, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "Warwick" 11
Tho Stephens, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 10
John Stephens, who landed in Virginia in 1635 10
Phillipp Stephens, who landed in Virginia in 1636 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stephens Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Guian Stephens, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1700-1701 10
Grace Stephens, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 10
Hannah Stephens, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 10
Nicholas Stephens, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1712 10
Edward Stephens, who landed in Virginia in 1713 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stephens Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hugh Stephens, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1802 10
Mary Stephens, who landed in America in 1805 10
Edward Stephens, who landed in America in 1809 10
Elnor Stephens, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 10
Thomas Stephens, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stephens migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Stephens Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Thomas Stephens, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
William Stephens, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
John Stephens, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Alexanda Stephens U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 208 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 12
Mr. Shadrach Stephens U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 resettled in Ontario in 1799 he served in the Prince of Wales Regiment 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stephens Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Anne Stephens, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1820
Jane Stephens, aged 35, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Alchymist" from Falmouth, Cornwall, England
Mary Stephens, aged 12, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Alchymist" from Falmouth, Cornwall, England
Abraham Stephens, aged 15, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Alchymist" from Falmouth, Cornwall, England
Catharine Stephens, aged 8, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Alchymist" from Falmouth, Cornwall, England
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stephens Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

D Stephens, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Stephens migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Stephens Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Lydia Stephens, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bellona" in July 1792, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13

Stephens Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Stephens, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Broxbournebury" in January 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Joseph Stephens, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Frederick Stephens, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Thomas Stephens, (b. 1804), aged 17, English fisherman who was convicted in London, England for 14 years for uttering forged notes, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
George Stephens, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stephens 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:

Stephens Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Stephens, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Alex Stephens, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
William Stephens, aged 50, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 19
John Stephens, aged 19, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duke of Roxburgh" in 1840 19
Samuel Stephens, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Whitby" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Stephens 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. 20

Stephens Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Philipp Stephens, aged 28, who arrived in St Christopher in 1634 10
Alice Stephens, who settled in Barbados in 1651
Benjamin Stephens, who settled in Barbados in 1660

Contemporary Notables of the name Stephens (post 1700) +

Garn Gaynell Stephens (1944-2023), American film, television, and theatre actress and writer, best known for her roles in the television series Phyllis and the 1982 horror film Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Edward V. "Mickey" Stephens (1944-2021), American politician, Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 165th District, serving since 2008
Stanley Graham Stephens (1929-2021), Canadian-born, American politician, journalist, and broadcaster, 20th Governor of Montana from 1989 until 1993
John Roger Stephens (b. 1978), known as John Legend, an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, film producer and philanthropist. In 2007, he received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2015 he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and Golden Globe Award for co-writing the song "Glory", he has won eleven Grammy Awards. In 2017, he received a Tony award for co-producing Jitney for the Broadway stage. He received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his acting role in 2018, he has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) Award
Stephen Owen "Steve" Stephens (1930-2021), American broadcasting pioneer in Arkansas, host of Steve's Show
Willis Stephens (b. 1955), U.S. politician
Woody Stephens (1913-1998), American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer
William Stephens (1859-1944), U.S. politician
Vern Stephens (1920-1968), U.S. baseball player
Uriah Smith Stephens (1821-1882), U.S. labor leader
... (Another 171 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Stephens family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Dane Stephens (1966-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Littleton, Colorado, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 21

Empress of Ireland

Mr. John Stephens, British Fireman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 22
Mr. John Stephens, British Greaser from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 22

Halifax Explosion

Mr. Isaac James Stephens (1845-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. George Stephens (1909-1941), Australian Acting Yeoman Of Signals from Rozelle, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24

HMS Repulse

Mr. William Stephens, British Mechanician 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. Evan Stephens, British Leading Cook, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 25

HMS Royal Oak

Mark Warren Stephens (1917-1939), British Assistant Cook (S) with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
Henry Stephens (1921-1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26

RMS Lusitania

Master John Harrison Chattan Stephens, Canadian 1st Class Passenger from Montréal, Quebec, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27
Mrs. Frances Stephens, Canadian 1st Class Passenger from Montréal, Quebec, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 27

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. James Edward Stephens (b. 1881), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

St. Francis Dam

Mr. David Samuel Stephens, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
Mrs. Mary Eliza Jane Stephens, (nee Russell), American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
Miss Grace L. Stephens, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928

USS Arizona

Mr. Woodrow Wilson Stephens, American Electrician's Mate First Class from Washington, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 28

Citations +

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)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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
"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
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bellona
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/broxbournebury
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
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
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html