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

Steptoe, 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 Steptoe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Steptoe in America

Steptoe is the 19697th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Steptoe surname appeared 1,368 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Steptoe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Steptoe 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 Steptoe

The surname Steptoe finds its origins in England, with roots dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "steppe" and "hoh," meaning "steep ridge" or "steep hill." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or on a steep hill or ridge.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Steptoe can be traced back to the 13th century. One of the earliest known records is found in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, where a person named Richard Steptho is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

During the medieval period, the name Steptoe appeared in various historical documents, including the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, which listed a Robert de Steptho. The "de" prefix in this spelling indicates a locational surname, further reinforcing the connection to a specific place.

In the 16th century, the Steptoe surname gained prominence through the records of notable individuals. One such individual was John Steptoe, born in 1511, who served as a Member of Parliament for East Grinstead in 1554 during the reign of Queen Mary I.

Another notable figure was Edward Steptoe, born in 1588, who was a renowned English merchant and member of the Honourable East India Company. He played a significant role in establishing trade routes and fostering economic ties between England and the Indian subcontinent.

The surname Steptoe has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Steptoe Hill in Northumberland and Steptoe Farm in Leicestershire. These place names may have influenced the surname's origin or been derived from the surname itself.

Throughout history, several individuals bearing the Steptoe surname have made significant contributions in various fields. One such individual was Thomas Steptoe, born in 1704, who was a prominent English architect known for his work on churches and public buildings in London.

In the 19th century, Edward Steptoe, born in 1815, gained recognition as a English surgeon and pioneer in the field of reproductive medicine. He is credited with performing the first successful human fertilization using in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques in 1978.

Another notable figure was John Steptoe, born in 1913, who was an acclaimed English author and illustrator of children's books. His works, including the famous "Muddle" series, have captivated generations of young readers.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the Steptoe surname throughout history, contributing to its rich legacy and diverse backgrounds.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Steptoe

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

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 Steptoe 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 Steptoe 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 Steptoe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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