Stevens

Stevens
This is a British surname, although of Greek origins. Introduced into England in particular after the famous Crusades of the 12th century, it is one of the patronymic forms of the male given name Steven or Stephen, deriving from the Greek word "stephanos" meaning "crown" or "wreath". In ancient Greece athletic champions were crowned with a wreath of laurels in recognition of their victories, and, no doubt, many victors would have named their sons Stephanos to commemorate their achievements. It was a popular name throughout Christendom in the Middle Ages, having been borne by the first Christian martyr. The name was particularly appropriate in this instance as martyrdom was regarded by Christians as a victory. "Stefanus", the Latinized form of the name, is recorded without surname in the English Domesday Book of 1086, whilst the surname first appears in the latter half of the 13th Century, when Robert Stephen of Cheshire appera in 1260, and Agnes Stiven of Berkshire in 1279. The patronymic forms Stevens and Stephens are recorded at that time also (see below). One of the earliest colonists to New England was Robert Stevens aged 22, who embarked from London on the ship "Planter" in 1634. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alice Stevenes. This was dated 1279, in the "Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire", during the reign of King Edward 1st of England, 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Stevens — may refer to:Automotive* Stevens (constructor), a former racing car constructor * Stevens Duryea, early U.S. carGeographical locationsIn the United States* Stevens County, Kansas * Stevens County, Minnesota * Stevens County, Washington * Stevens… …   Wikipedia

  • STEVENS (W.) — Homme d’affaires américain et poète, Stevens écrit pour lui seul l’«épopée du doute», s’efforçant de se situer puis de se découvrir «dans la difficulté d’être ce qu’être signifie». Discours narcissique, cette œuvre poétique dit la déchirure dont… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Stevens — steht für: Stevens (Familienname), ein englischer Familienname Stevens Johnson Syndrom, eine infekt oder arzneimittelallergisch bedingte Hauterkrankung Stevens, namentlich: Stevens Bikes, deutscher Fahrradhersteller mit Sitz in Hamburg Stevens… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Stevens — Stevens, Siaka Probyn Stevens, Wallace * * * (as used in expressions) Hewitt, Abram S(tevens) Maxim, Sir Hiram (Stevens) Ruby Stevens Stevens, George Stevens, John Stevens, John Paul Stevens, Robert Livingston …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Stevens — hace referencia a: Personas Adele Stevens, actriz pornográfica británica. Britney Stevens, actriz pornográfica. Hermana de la Whitney Stevens. Whitney Stevens actriz pornográfica. Hermana de Britney Stevens. George Stevens, cineasta… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Stevens — Stevens,   1) [ste vɛ̃s], Alfred, belgischer Maler, * Brüssel 11. 5. 1823, ✝ Paris 24. 8. 1906; begann als Genremaler, trat dann mit elegant dekorativen Frauenporträts (häufig mit japanischen Stilllebenmotiven) hervor. Er war ein blendender… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Stevens — Stevens, Thad|de|us (1792 1868) a US politician in the ↑Republican Party who was strongly opposed to ↑slavery and was an important supporter of the programme of ↑Reconstruction after the American ↑Civil War Stevens 2 Stevens, Wallace (1879 1955)… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Stevens — Stevens, Alfred, belg. Maler, geb. 11. Mai 1828 in Brüssel, gest. 24. Aug. 1906 in Paris, besuchte das Atelier von Navez in Brüssel und später das von Roqueplan in Paris und malte anfangs kleine Historienbilder, wandte sich aber bald der… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Stevens — (Siaka Probyn) (1905 1988) homme politique de la Sierra Leone; Premier ministre (1967, puis 1968 1971), président de la Rép. (1971 1985) …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Stevens — Stevens, Stievens Nom porté en Belgique, qui correspond au nom de baptême Etienne (latin Stephanus) …   Noms de famille

  • Stevens — [stē′vənz] 1. John Paul 1920 ; associate justice, U.S. Supreme Court (1975 ) 2. Thaddeus 1792 1868; U.S. statesman & abolitionist 3. Wallace 1879 1955; U.S. poet …   English World dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”