Show ContentsStearn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Stearn Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Stearn

What does the name Stearn mean?

The Stearn surname is derived from the Middle High German word "stern," meaning "star."

Early Origins of the Stearn family

The surname Stearn was first found in the regions of Hannover and Mecklenburg, where the name Stern was anciently associated with the conflicts between rival tribes. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of this early period in history, using their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their support was sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Stearn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stearn research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1645 is included under the topic Early Stearn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stearn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Stern, Stearn, Sturn, Sterne, Sturne, Stirn, Styrne, Stearne, Stirne and many more.

Early Notables of the Stearn family

More information is included under the topic Early Stearn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Stearn Ranking

the United States, the name Stearn is the 17,537th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Stearn migration to the United States +



Stearn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joseph Stearn, who settled in America in 1748
Stearn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • W Stearn, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2

Stearn migration to Australia +

Stearn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Edward Stearn, (b. 1814), aged 25, English farm labourer who was convicted in Suffolk, England for 7 years for Felony, transported aboard the "Canton" on 20th September 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1889 3
  • Mr. John Stearn, English convict who was convicted in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canton" on 20th September 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3
  • William Stearn, English convict from Suffolk, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on August 08, 1849, settling in Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia 4
  • Jessie Stearn, aged 28, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 5
  • William Stearn, aged 53, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Standard" 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Stearn (post 1700) +

  • Jess Stearn (1914-2002), American journalist and author of more than thirty books
  • Sue Stearn, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Wisconsin, 1964, 1972
  • William Thomas Stearn CBE (1911-2001), British botanist, recipient of the Asa Gray Award in 2000
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Alexander W Stearn (1964-1985), American Private 1st Class from Lutherville, Maryland, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 7

Suggested Readings for the name Stearn +

  • From the Puritan Migration to the Ohio River and Indiana by Frances Kutchback Eisan.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canton
  4. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia in 1849 with 303 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1849
  5. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) EPAMINONDAS 1852. Retrieved www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1852.shtml
  6. South Australian Register Friday 14 October 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Standard 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/standard1853.shtml
  7. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550

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