| ![Show Contents]() Stewn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of StewnWhat does the name Stewn mean? The earliest origins of the Stewn surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was a stern person. The surname Stewn is derived from the Old English word styrne, which means severe, strict, uncompromising, and austere. 1 2 Early Origins of the Stewn familyThe surname Stewn was first found in Cambridgeshire where Henry Sterne and Aubn Sterne was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 3 Later, Haney Sterne was listed in Norfolk in 1460. 4 Early History of the Stewn familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Stewn research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1596, 1607, 1624, 1642, 1643, 1660, 1664, 1669, 1683, 1700, 1713, 1745, 1759 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Stewn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Stewn Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Stewn are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Stewn include: Sterne, Stern, Stearn, Stearns and others. Early Notables of the Stewn familyJohn Sterne, Bishop of Colchester in 1592 who held the post until his death in 1607; and Richard Sterne (c. 1596-1683), English Church of England priest, Bishop of Carlisle in 1660, Archbishop of York from 1664 to 1683. He was the alleged author of the 'Whole Duty of Man.' 5 "On the outbreak of the civil war, Sterne zealously adopted the royalist cause, and in August 1642 he arranged for the despatch of large quantities of college plate to the king. Cromwell, however, who, as one of the burgesses of Cambridge, was engaged in securing that town for parliament, had Sterne...
Another 146 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Stewn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Stewn family to IrelandSome of the Stewn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 174 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Stewn familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Stewn or a variant listed above: Abigail and Mary Stearns settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; Isaac Stearns, his wife Mary, his son and four daughters settled in Massachusetts in 1630.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- 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)
- Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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