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

Stevens, 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 Stevens surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Stevens in America

Stevens is the 135th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Stevens surname appeared 185,674 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 63 people would have the surname Stevens.

We can also compare 2010 data for Stevens 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 Stevens

The surname Stevens has its origins in England, stemming from the medieval given name Steven, which was derived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "garland." The name initially emerged as a patronymic, denoting "son of Steven."

The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 13th century, with references found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273. These ancient records mention individuals such as Robert Stevene and William Stevene, indicating the name's presence in medieval England.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Stevens has been subject to various spelling variations, including Steevens, Steavens, and Stevyns. These variations were common due to inconsistent spelling practices in earlier times.

Notably, the surname Stevens appears in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, the comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror. This historical document recorded landowners and their holdings across England, offering valuable insights into the distribution of the name during the Norman era.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Stevens throughout history, Sir Thomas Stevens (1549-1619) stands out as a prominent English courtier during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as the Lord President of the Council of the Marches and played a significant role in the administration of Wales.

Another distinguished figure was John Stevens (1616-1692), an English Puritan minister and author who emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century. He became a respected minister in Andover, Massachusetts, and his sermons and writings left a lasting impact on colonial New England.

In the realm of exploration, John Stevens (1749-1838) was a notable American engineer and inventor. He pioneered the development of steam-powered transportation, contributing to the design and construction of the first steamboat to navigate the Hudson River.

The name Stevens has also been associated with various place names, such as Steventon in Hampshire, England, and Stevensweert in the Netherlands, further reflecting its geographical distribution and influence.

Edward Stevens (1923-1999) was a prolific British author and illustrator, renowned for his children's books and his contributions to the field of children's literature. His works, including the beloved "The Luckiest Girl in the World" series, captivated young readers worldwide.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the surname Stevens throughout history, leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of this name's legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Stevens

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

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

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

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