Stephen

Stephen
This is one of the famous surnames of the Christian world. Recorded in over one hundred and sixty spellings including examples such as Stephen (English), Etienne (French), Esteve and Estevez (Spanish and Catalonian), Stefano (Italian), Steffen (German), Tschepe (Czech), and found in every European country, it is one which is ultimately of Ancient Greek origin. However spelt it derives from the word "stephanos", meaning crown or wreath. The name is found in England before the Norman Conquest of 1066, but only as a monk's name in its Latin form of "Stefanus", and as such is recorded in the famous Domesday Book of 1086. The name became popular throughout Christendom in the Middle Ages, partly due to the fame of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who was stoned to death at Jerusalem, three years after the death of Christ. The personal name was also borne by King Stephen of England, known as the "Count of Blois", where he was born. He ruled from 1135 to 1154. There are so many forms and so many recordings of the surname in every country, it is only possible to give the earliest known examples taken from surviving charters and registers. These include Robert Stephen, who was a witness at the assize court of the county of Cheshire, England, in the year 1260, Oswald Steffanssun of the Tirol in 1454, and Heinrich Stephi of Chur, in Germany, in 1437. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the 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.

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  • Stephen I — can refer to either*Stephen I of Croatia, ruled 1030. 1058. *Stephen I of Hungary *Stephen I of Iberia *Pope Stephen I *Ecumenical Patriarch Stephen I of Constantinople *Stephen I of Bosnia *Stephen I, Duke of Bavaria *Stephen I of Sancerre… …   Wikipedia

  • Stephen II — may mean:* Pope elect Stephen was, from the 16th century to 1960 considered a valid pope under the name Stephen II. * Pope Stephen II, his successor, was called Stephen III before 1961. * Stephen II of Croatia * Stephen II of Hungary * Stephen II …   Wikipedia

  • Stephen — hace referencia a: Stephen Daldry, director de cine británico. Stephen Hawking, físico británico. Stephen Morris, músico y baterista de Joy Division y New Order. Stephen Spender, poeta británico. Stephen Graham, actor británico. Stephen King,… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Stephen (V) VI —     Pope Stephen (V) VI     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Pope Stephen (V) VI     (885 91)     Date of birth unknown; died in Sept., 891. His father, Hadrian, who belonged to the Roman aristocracy, entrusted his education to his relative, Bishop… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Stephen — (spr. ßtīw n), 1) James Fitzjames, Baronet, Jurist, geb. 3. März 1829 in London, gest. 11. März 1894 in Ipswich, war erst Advokat, dann 1869 bis 1872 Justizminister im indischen Ministerium, 1879–91 Richter am High Court of justice. Er hat sich… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Stephen (IX) X —     Pope Stephen (IX) X     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Pope Stephen (IX) X     Born probably about the beginning of the eleventh century; died at Florence, 29 March, 1058. (Junian?) Frederick, destined to become Pope Stephen X, was the son of… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Stephen — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Leslie Stephen (1832–1904), britischer Kleriker, Historiker, Literat und Bergsteiger Marcus Stephen (* 1969), nauruischer Gewichtheber und Staatspräsident Ninian Stephen (* 1923), australischer… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Stephen II —     Pope Stephen II     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Pope Stephen II     On the death of Zachary, a certain priest Stephen was unanimously elected to succeed him (about 23 March, 752); but on the third day after his election, whilst transacting some …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Stephen — Stephen1 [stē′vən] [L Stephanus < Gr Stephanas < stephanos, a crown: see STEPHANOTIS] n. 1. a masculine name: dim. Steve; var. Steven; equiv. L. Stephanus, Fr. Étienne, Ger. Stephan, It. Stefano, Sp. Esteban, Russ. Stepen; fem. Stephanie 2 …   English World dictionary

  • Stephen IV — may mean:*Pope Stephen III *Pope Stephen IV *Stephen IV of Hungary …   Wikipedia

  • Stephen V — can refer to:*Pope Stephen IV *Pope Stephen V *Stephen V of Hungary …   Wikipedia

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