Find out how popular the last name Stepney is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Stepney.

Stepney, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Stepney surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Stepney in America

Stepney is the 18018th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Stepney surname appeared 1,549 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Stepney.

We can also compare 2010 data for Stepney to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Stepney

The surname Stepney originated in England, likely emerging in the Middle Ages. It is a locational surname, derived from the place name Stepney, which is a district in the East End of London. The name Stepney itself is believed to come from the Old English words "Stebben" and "ey," meaning "Stebben's island."

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Stepney can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Stibenhede." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a survey of landholdings across England and provides valuable insights into the origins of many English surnames.

In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Stepney was Alwin de Stepney, who was recorded as a landowner in Middlesex in 1235. Another early reference is Hugh de Stepney, mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1260.

During the 16th century, the surname Stepney appeared in various forms, such as Stebenheth, Stebneth, and Stebnith, reflecting the evolution of the name's spelling over time. One notable individual from this period was John Stepney, a merchant and philanthropist born in 1545 in London, who was involved in the establishment of Christ's Hospital, a renowned school for underprivileged children.

In the 17th century, Sir Thomas Stepney (1617-1683) was a prominent diplomat and politician who served as the English ambassador to several European courts. He played a significant role in international affairs and was knighted for his services.

Another noteworthy figure was Sir John Stepney (1610-1668), a baronet and Member of Parliament who represented Somerset in the English House of Commons. He was known for his involvement in local affairs and his support for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War.

In the 18th century, George Stepney (1663-1707) was a celebrated poet and diplomat who served as the English envoy to various European courts. His poems were widely admired, and he was a prominent figure in literary circles of his time.

Throughout history, the surname Stepney has been associated with various professions, including merchants, politicians, diplomats, and literary figures. While the name originated in a specific location in London, it has since spread across England and beyond, carried by individuals who have left their mark on various aspects of society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Stepney

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Stepney.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Stepney was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Stepney has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Stepney was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Stepney, please contact us.

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