Stephen is a surname of English, Scottish,[1] and German origin. It is a reasonably common surname. The German variant is thought to have originated from the German-speaking world as (Von) Stephan.[citation needed]

Stephen
PronunciationStee-ven
Origin
Region of originEnglish, Scottish and German
Other names
Variant form(s)Stephenson, Stevens, Stephens, Fitzstephen

Stephen is the 3,845th most common surname in the USA.[2]

MacStèaphain (Scottish Gaelic) Stephen is a sept of the clan MacTavish.[3] It is believed that Stephens from North East Scotland (Morayshire, Banffshire, and Aberdeenshire) south of the Moray Firth are descended from a Viking named Tarben whose longship landed in Banffshire in the late 10th century CE. His name was Christianized to Stephen.[citation needed]

Notable people with the surname

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hanks, P; Coates, R; McClure, P, eds. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Vol. 4. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 2547–2548. ISBN 978-0-19-879884-2.
  2. ^ Behind the Name: Search Results
  3. ^ "Associated Family Names – (Septs) – Clan MacTavish".