Steffens

Steffens
This is one of the patronymic forms of the male given name Steven or Stephen, itself deriving from the Greek "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. This 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 Domesday Book of 1086. The surname first appears in the latter half of the 13th Century Robert Stephen (Cheshire, 1260) and Agnes Stiven (Berkshire, 1279). The patronymic forms Stevens and Stephens are recorded at that time also (see below). On March 22nd 1634, Robert Stevens, aged 22 yrs., embarked from London on the ship "Planter" bound for New England. He was one of the earliest recorded namebearers to settle in America. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alice Stevenes, which was dated 1279, in the "Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was 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.

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  • Steffens — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Barbara Steffens (* 1962), deutsche Politikerin Dirk Steffens (* 1967), deutscher Moderator, Journalist und Tierfilmer Erna Steffens (* 1902; † unbekannt), deutsche Politikerin (SPD) Franz Steffens… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Steffens — Steffens, Henrich, geb. 2. Mai 1773 zu Stavanger in Norwegen; studirte seit 1790 in Kopenhagen die Naturwissenschaften u. bereiste 1794 Norwegen; er litt bei seiner Rückkehr an der Mündung der. Elbe Schiffbruch, lebte 1795 in Hamburg u. ertheilte …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Steffens — Steffens, Henrich, Philosoph, Naturforscher und Dichter, geb. 2. Mai 1773 zu Stavanger in Norwegen, gest. 13. Febr. 1845 in Berlin, widmete sich seit 1790 in Kopenhagen naturwissenschaftlichen Studien, bereiste dann Norwegen, eröffnete 1796 in… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Steffens — Steffens, Henrich, Philosoph, Naturforscher und Dichter, geb. 2. Mai 1773 zu Stavanger (Norwegen), 1811 Prof. der Physik in Breslau, machte die Befreiungskriege mit, seit 1832 Prof. zu Berlin, gest. 13. Febr. 1845; schrieb: »Karikaturen des… …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Steffens — Steffens, Heinr., ein phantasie und gedankenreicher Schriftsteller, Philosoph, Naturforscher und Dichter, geb. 1773 zu Stavanger in Norwegen, studirte zu Kopenhagen, hielt schon 1796 zu Kiel naturwissenschaftliche Vorlesungen, begab sich behufs… …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • Steffens — Stẹffens,   1) Henrik (Henrich, Heinrich), Naturphilosoph und Schriftsteller, * Stavanger 2. 5. 1773, ✝ Berlin 13. 2. 1845; Sohn eines deutschen Arztes und einer Dänin. Steffens studierte Naturwissenschaften in Kopenhagen, war ab 1796… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Steffens —  Cette page d’homonymie répertorie des personnes (réelles ou fictives) partageant un même patronyme. Patronyme Steffens est un nom de famille notamment porté par : Heinrich Steffens (1773 1845), écrivain allemand ; Lincoln Steffens …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Steffens — noun United States journalist whose exposes in 1906 started an era of muckraking journalism (1866 1936) • Syn: ↑Lincoln Steffens, ↑Joseph Lincoln Steffens • Instance Hypernyms: ↑journalist …   Useful english dictionary

  • Steffens, Heinrich — Steffens, Heinrich, Henrich. Die majestätische Winternacht Skandinaviens mit ihren Schneelavinen und Schneeschauern, dem träumenden Nordlicht und dem goldenen Wappenschilde Odin s, aus eherner Brust ein ehernes Lied herüberbrausend an die Gestade …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • Steffens, Henrik — ▪ German philosopher and physicist born May 2, 1773, Stavanger, Nor. died Feb. 13, 1845, Berlin       philosopher and physicist, who combined scientific ideas with German Idealist metaphysics.       Steffens spent his early years at Copenhagen,… …   Universalium

  • Steffens, Lincoln — ▪ American journalist born April 6, 1866, San Francisco died Aug. 9, 1936, Carmel, Calif., U.S.  U.S. journalist, lecturer, and political philosopher, a leading figure among the writers whom Theodore Roosevelt called muckrakers (muckraker).… …   Universalium

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