Show ContentsSterne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Sterne was formed many centuries ago by the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name typically given to a stern person. The surname Sterne is derived from the Old English word styrne, which means severe, strict, uncompromising, and austere.

Early Origins of the Sterne family

The surname Sterne 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 Sterne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sterne 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 Sterne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sterne Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Sterne include Sterne, Stern, Stearn, Stearns and others.

Early Notables of the Sterne 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

Ireland Migration of the Sterne family to Ireland

Some of the Sterne 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.


United States Sterne migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Sterne Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Isaac Sterne, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 1
  • Hen Sterne, who landed in Virginia in 1653 1
  • Henry Sterne, who arrived in Virginia in 1658 1
  • Thomas Sterne, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 1
Sterne Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jacob Sterne, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 1
Sterne Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Nicholas Adolphus Sterne, aged 28, who landed in Texas in 1829 1
  • Joseph Sterne, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1875 1
  • John Sterne, who arrived in Kansas in 1877 1
  • Albert Sterne, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States, in 1894
  • Louis Sterne, aged 60, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
Sterne Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Julia Sterne, aged 19, who landed in America, in 1905
  • Katheryn Sterne, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1905
  • Harry Sterne, aged 45, who settled in America, in 1907
  • Ellen L. Sterne, aged 56, who immigrated to the United States from Anfield, England, in 1909
  • Leopold H. Sterne, aged 45, who settled in America, in 1911
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Sterne migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sterne Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Edward Sterne, aged 26, who settled in London Ont., Canada, in 1923

Contemporary Notables of the name Sterne (post 1700) +

  • Emma Gelders Sterne (1894-1971), American author of children's books
  • Simon Sterne (1839-1901), American lawyer and economist
  • Maurice Sterne (1877-1957), American sculptor and painter
  • Adolphus Sterne (1801-1852), American politician who served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives
  • Hedda Sterne (1910-2011), born Hedwig Lindenberg, Romanian-born, American artist, the only woman in a group of Abstract Expressionists
  • Simon Sterne, American Democratic Party politician, National Democratic Candidate for Presidential Elector for New York, 1896 2
  • Henry Sterne, American politician, U.S. Consul in Pesth, 1884 2
  • Bobbie L. Sterne, American politician, Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1975-76, 1978-79 2
  • Adolphus Sterne (b. 1801), American politician, Delegate to Texas Convention of 1833 from District of Nacogdoches, 1833 2
  • A. W. Sterne, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1908 2
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Benjamin S Sterne (b. 1922), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 3


  1. 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)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm


Houseofnames.com on Facebook