Show ContentsStam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Stam is Dutch in origin. It is thought to be derived from the Old High German "stamme," meaning "tree trunk," and was most likely first borne by someone who lived near an outstanding tree. Alternatively, the name may have been initially bestowed as a nickname on someone who had a strong, trunk-like build.

Early Origins of the Stam family

The surname Stam was first found in Holland, where the name is thought to have first emerged. The name could also be found at an early period in the neighboring country of Germany, where Guntram Stamme was recorded to be living in the northern province of Hesse in 1397. The Stam family was instrumental during this early period, and contributed greatly to the development of medieval Dutch society.

Early History of the Stam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stam research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1457, 1620, 1666 and 1798 are included under the topic Early Stam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stam Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Stam, Stamme, Stamli, Stemme and others.

Early Notables of the Stam family

From this era of Dutch history, those of this who distinguished themselves included

  • Jacob Frederiksz Stam (c.1620), a well-known poet from Amsterdam, Jau Stam (d. 1666), a Swedish sculptor, and...
  • van der Stam (c.1798), a playwright...

Stam Ranking

In the United States, the name Stam is the 17,973rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in Netherlands, the name Stam is ranked the 96th most popular surname with an estimated 10,507 people with that name. 2


Stam migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Stam Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Dirk Corsen Stam, who arrived in New Netherland(s) in 1634 3
  • Dirck Corsz Stam, who landed in New York in 1638 3
Stam Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Peter Stam, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1734 3
  • Johann Adam Stam, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1742 3
  • Werner Stam, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1762 3
  • Jacob Stam, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1762 3
  • Adam Stam, who landed in America in 1774 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Stam Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Willemina Stam, aged 28, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 3
  • Klaas Stam, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Stam (post 1700) +

  • Paul B. "Skip" Stam Jr. (b. 1950), American politician, Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives (2003-)
  • Katie R. Stam, American model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss America 2009
  • Marieke Stam (b. 1961), Dutch speed skater at the 1988 Winter Olympics
  • Caroline Stam, Dutch contemporary classical soprano
  • Hans Stam (1919-1996), Dutch Olympic bronze medalist water polo player at the 1948 Summer Olympics
  • Danny Stam (b. 1972), Dutch retired cyclist, nicknamed "De kleine diesel" (The little diesel)
  • Mart Stam (1889-1986), Dutch architect, urban planner, and furniture designer
  • Ron Theodorus "Ronnie" Stam (b. 1984), Dutch footballer
  • Stefan Stam (b. 1979), Dutch footballer who has played since 2001
  • Jaap Stam (b. 1972), Dutch retired footballer who played from 1992 to 2007, member of the Netherlands National Team (1996-2004)
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  3. 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)


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