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

Sterlin, 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 Sterlin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Sterlin in America

Sterlin is the 63218th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Sterlin surname appeared 316 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 Sterlin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Sterlin 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 Sterlin

The surname "Sterlin" originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "sterling," which referred to a type of silver coin or currency. The name likely emerged as a descriptive surname, given to individuals who worked with silver or dealt in coins.

The earliest recorded instances of the name "Sterlin" can be traced back to the 13th century. One notable example is found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which recorded landowners and their properties. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Sterlyng" and "Sterlinge."

During the 14th century, the name gained prominence in areas like Cheshire and Lancashire, where metalworking and coinage were significant industries. Records from this time period include references to individuals like John Sterlin, a merchant from Chester, born around 1320, and William Sterlin, a silversmith from Lancaster, born circa 1375.

The name continued to be prominent in the following centuries, with several notable individuals bearing the "Sterlin" surname. One such example is Edward Sterlin, a renowned playwright and poet from the 16th century, born in 1550 in Warwickshire. His works, including plays and sonnets, were widely celebrated during the Elizabethan era.

In the 17th century, the name appeared in various historical records, such as parish registers and court documents. One notable figure from this time was Sir Robert Sterlin, a wealthy landowner and member of Parliament, born in 1620 in Gloucestershire.

As the name spread across England, it also became associated with certain place names. For instance, the village of Sterling in Yorkshire was once known as "Sterlingburgh," potentially linking the name to its geographic origins.

Throughout its history, the "Sterlin" surname has been carried by numerous individuals from various walks of life. Other notable bearers include Sir John Sterlin, a renowned military commander during the English Civil War, born in 1592; and Mary Sterlin, a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, born in 1765 in Suffolk.

While the exact origins and evolution of the name "Sterlin" may be subject to some debate, its connection to the metalworking and coinage industries in medieval England is well-established. The name has endured through the centuries, reflecting the rich tapestry of English history and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Sterlin

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

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

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

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