Stence
A surname derived from a place name containing the Old English word "stenc" meaning a narrow path or lane.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Stence. That puts it at #72,105 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Stence surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#72,105
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
270
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 270 bearers of the surname Stence in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 72105th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Stence, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Black (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Stence
The surname Stence is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place name or a topographical feature. One possible origin could be from the Old English word "stenc," meaning a ditch or a trench, suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived near such a feature.
Another theory suggests that the name could be derived from the Old English word "stenc," meaning a strong or pungent smell, possibly indicating that the original bearer lived near a place associated with a particular odor, such as a marsh or a tannery.
Records from the 13th and 14th centuries mention individuals with variations of the name, such as Stephanus le Stench, Willelmus Stench, and Robert Stench, appearing in various county records and tax rolls. The surname may have evolved from these early spellings over time.
One of the earliest documented references to the name Stence can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which lists a John Stence among the taxpayers. This record provides evidence of the surname's existence during the 14th century.
In the 16th century, the surname Stence appeared in the Sussex Musters of 1545, where a William Stence was recorded as a resident of the county. This suggests that the name had spread to other regions of England by this time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Stence. One example is Thomas Stence (c. 1680 - 1734), an English painter and engraver known for his portraits and religious works. Another is John Stence (1763 - 1826), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Cricklade in the early 19th century.
In the 18th century, Sarah Stence (1714 - 1795) gained recognition as a notable philanthropist and benefactor in London, contributing to various charitable causes during her lifetime.
The 19th century saw the birth of Edward Stence (1834 - 1907), a prominent architect in London who designed several notable buildings, including the Beaconsfield Club and the Grosvenor Club.
Lastly, William Stence (1902 - 1988) was a British journalist and author who wrote extensively on topics related to World War II and military history.
These examples demonstrate the presence of the surname Stence across various professions and time periods, suggesting its longevity and dispersal throughout England and possibly other regions.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Stence
Among Census respondents with the surname Stence, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Black (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Stence bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Stence surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Black or African American1.9%
- Unknown or suppressed1.1%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Stence surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #70,679 | #72,105 | -2.0% |
| Count | 258 | 270 | 4.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.10 | 0.09 | -10.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Stence bearers went from 258 to 270 (+4.7% change). The surname moved down 1,426 positions in the national ranking, going from #70,679 to #72,105.
FAQ
Stence surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Stence?
The surname Stence holds position #72,105 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Stence surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Stence, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.2%) and Black (1.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.