Stephenson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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  Scotland 
  Ireland 


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, &c. A nicked or abbreviated form furnishes us with our Steen, Steenson, Stimson, Stimpson, Stinson, Stibbs: perhaps also Stubbs, Steff, Stiff, and Stennett. Tiffany and Tiffin, from Stephanus, belong to the same category. 1

"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." 2

Early Origins of the Stephenson family

The surname Stephenson was first found in Essex where Adam Steveneson was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. Later, John Stephenson was listed at Whitby, Yorkshire in 1395. 3 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included an entry for Thomas Stevenson. 4

In Somerset, we found the truncated entries for Philip Stevene; and William Stevene, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 5

"The present family of Stimpson may possess an ancestor in John Stimpson, who lived at Burston, in Diss, in 1742." 6 John Stimpson from Norwich, Norfolk was listed there in 1742. 7

The first record of the Stinson variant was found in Yorkshire where Corpus Christi Guild (Surtees Society) listed Joseph Stinson, but no date was given. Welford's History of Newcastle and Gateshead records "in a muster-roll of able-bodied men at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1539 occur the names of: Edward Stynson; Stewyn Sotheron; Allen Stewenson; and John Stewynsone. 8

Early History of the Stephenson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stephenson research. Another 180 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1296, 1455, 1552, 1581, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1624, 1654, 1685, 1742, 1764, 1833 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Stephenson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stephenson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Stevenson, Stephenson, Stephinson, Stevenston, Steenson, Stenson, Steinson and many more.

Early Notables of the Stephenson family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

Stephenson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Stephenson is the 643rd most popular surname with an estimated 44,766 people with that name. 9 However, in Canada, the name Stephenson is ranked the 687th most popular surname with an estimated 7,604 people with that name. 10 And in Australia, the name Stephenson is the 316th popular surname with an estimated 11,160 people with that name. 11 New Zealand ranks Stephenson as 419th with 1,579 people. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Stephenson as 253rd with 23,619 people. 13

Migration of the Stephenson family to Ireland

Some of the Stephenson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 186 words (13 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Stephenson migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Stephenson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Stephenson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Stephenson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Stephenson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Stephenson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Stephenson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Stephenson Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Stephenson migration to Australia +

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

Stephenson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Stephenson 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:

Stephenson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Stephenson (post 1700) +
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