This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Stephen.' There is no instance of Stephen in Domesday Book. But like John and Peter, it gained popularity with great rapidity; and Stephen of Blois, of course, exercised an influence in its favour. It was enormously popular in the hereditary surname period, and, as a consequence, has endless representatives of nick, and pet forms in the directories of to-day (v. Steven, Stevens, Stevenson, Stimpson, &c).

Gilbert fil. Stephani, Lincolnshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Jordan fil. Stephani, Essex, ibid.

Richard Stephen, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Richard Stephenes, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

1585. Baptised — Dorothy, d. William Stephens: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1739. Married — James Stephen and Flora Young: St. George, Hanover Square.

This name was introduced into Britain by the Normans, with whom it was a favorite. Although found occasionally in England before 1066 its use then was due really to Christian tradition, Stephen (Stephanos) having been the first Christian martyr after Christ. Stephen, diaconus, witnessed a charter by Bishop Edward, c. 1150-71 (RPSA., p. 297). James Stephen, provost and merchant in Elgin, 1780 (Moray). Thomas Stephen published his History of the Church of Scotland in 4 v. (1843-45). In Scotland the name exists in the more common form Steven, which see.

'son of Stephen,' which see. Ada filius Stephani was burgess of Elgin in 1286 (REM., 221), Henricus Stephani had a charter of land in Ayr in 1409 (Friars Ayr, p. 43), William Stephani appears as rector of the church of Lestalric in 1418 (CMN., 28), John Stephani was burgess of Forfar in 1434 (RAA., II, 71) and witness in Brechin in 1435 (REB., II, 48). Alexander Stephenson was tenant in Grange of Kyncrech in 1446 (Cupar-Angus, i, p. 145), and George Stephenson (1781-1848), inventor of the locomotive, was of Scottish parentage. See also Stevenson.

'son of Steven,' which see. Nichol filz Steven, chaplain of Scotland, had license to take shipping at London or Dovorre at pleasure in 1372 (Bain, m. 198). John Steywynson was one of the surveyors of the marches of Woodwrae in 1388 (Bamff, p. 22), John Stevenson was merchant in Aberdeen in 1454 (Bain, IV, 1265), and common councillor, 1477 (Guildry, p. 189), and Duncan Stewinson was witness in Brechin in 1479 (REB., I, 202). Henry Stevinsoun in Brechin in 1505 appears in the following year as Henry Steynson (ibid., II, 149,150). John Stevenson, last Roman Catholic precentor of the metropolitan church of Glasgow in 1548 spelled his name Steinstoune (Biggar, p. 197). Thomas Steuynesone had sasine of land in Glasgow in 1550 (Protocols, I), Andro Steiuinsoun was treasurer of Edinburgh in 1580 (MCM., I, p. 288), and Quostantyne Steynstoune was burgess freeman of Glasgow in 1594 (Burgesses). Bryce Stinstone appears in Irvine, 1686 (Irvine, II, p. 310). Steinstoune 1613 Steivinson 1685, Steuinsoun 1573, Stevensone 1557, Stevingstoun 1569, Stevinsone 1507, Stevinstine 1684, Stevisone 1663, Stevynesone and Stevynsoune 1550, Stewinsone 1506, Stewinsoune 1583, Stewinstoun 1625, Stewynsone 1550, Stewynsounne 1577 Sthevinson 1493, Sthevinsone 1503, Stivinson 1686; Stevinstoun, Steavensone, Stevenstoune, Stivenson, Stivensone, Stivenstoune.

(Greek) Crown or Wreath [Greek ’Στέφανος, whence Latin (and Anglo-Saxon) Stephanus] ...se forma cýðere Stephanus (...the proto-martyr Stephen).—Ælfric’s Homilies ('Dom. Sept’.) Seinte Stefne iþolede [suffered] þe stones.—Ancren Riwle (‘Wreþþe’).

Sir Lancelott and Sr Steven bold.—Marr. of Sir Gawaine (Fragmt.)

(German, English) Descendant of Stephen (crown or garland).

This scripture name, like many others, was not introduced here until the Norman Conquest, after which we find it in the form of Fitz-Stephen. It occupies a large place among our surnames in the usual genitive forms of Stephens. Stevens, Steevens, Stephenson, Stevenson, &c. A nicked or abbreviated form furnishes us with our Steen. Steenson, Stimson, Stimpson, Stinson, Stibbs: perhaps also Stubbs, Steff, Stiff, and Stennett. Tiffany and Tiffin, from Stephanus, belong to the same category.

Honor.

From the proto martyr, are, however, in the Isle of Man, very frequently the translations of Costain (see above).In a.d. 1334, Gilbert MakStephan was one of the commissioners appointed by Edward III. to seize Man.

N. Stephanus, Normandy 1180-95 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); John, Ralph, Stephen, Engl. c. 1272 (Rotuli Hundredorum).

Stephens,Stevens. —Mostly confined south of a line drawn west from the Wash, being represented in the counties north of that line by Stephenson and Stevenson. Its great home is in Cornwall, and there are secondary centres in Sussex, and in South Wales and in the adjoining English county of Hereford. The name is said to have been introduced after the Conquest. In Cornwall it is of very ancient date, as is evidenced by the family of Stephens of Tregeuna, who, according to Lower, are the descendants of the Stephyns of St. Ives in the. reign of Edward IV., their name being written then in the singular.

Stephenson,Stevenson. —Confined for the most part to the northern half of England, being especially frequent in county Durham, and afterwards in the North and East Ridings and Northumberland. It is also well established in Lincolnshire, and has made a substantial advance into the midlands as far as Warwickshire. Strangely enough it has an independent home in Sussex and Berks, where Stevens is also common. Generally speaking, however, it is absent or rare in the southern part of England, where its place is supplied by Stephens and Stevens. The Stevensons extend in force across the Scottish border, but do not usually reach beyond the Forth and the Clyde.