Stiers
A habitational surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Steyr, Austria.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,268 Americans carry the last name Stiers. That puts it at #23,457 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.37 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 270,311 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Stiers 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
1.3K
1 in 270,311
Census rank
#23,457
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,084 bearers of the surname Stiers in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.37 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 23457th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Stiers, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.8%) and Hispanic (1.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Stiers
The surname STIERS has its roots in the German language, originating in the late medieval period between the 12th and 15th centuries. It is believed to have emerged from various regions of what is now modern-day Germany, particularly in the southern and central areas. The name is thought to be derived from the Old German word "stier," meaning "bull" or "steer," suggesting a potential connection to occupations or locations associated with cattle breeding or farming.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the STIERS surname can be traced back to the 14th century, where it appears in various municipal records and legal documents from towns and villages across Germany. For example, a record from the city of Nuremberg in 1376 mentions a certain "Hans Stiers," who was a local merchant involved in the trade of livestock and agricultural products.
By the 16th century, the STIERS name had spread to other parts of Europe, particularly in areas with significant German influence or migration. In the Netherlands, for instance, a notable figure bearing this surname was Willem Stiers (1547-1622), a renowned painter and engraver from Utrecht, known for his contributions to the Dutch Golden Age of art.
As the STIERS surname continued to disperse, it also evolved into various spelling variations, reflecting regional dialects and language adaptations. Some of these variations include Stier, Stiehr, Stier, and Styrs, among others. In the 18th century, a notable individual named Johann Stiers (1719-1795) from Saxony, Germany, gained recognition as a prominent Lutheran theologian and author of several religious texts.
In the 19th century, the STIERS name found its way to the United States, carried by German immigrants seeking new opportunities in the rapidly developing nation. One such individual was Wilhelm Stiers (1836-1901), a German-born civil engineer who made significant contributions to the construction of railroads and bridges in the American Midwest.
Throughout history, the STIERS surname has been associated with various professions, from artisans and tradesmen to scholars and professionals. Another notable figure was Georg Stiers (1862-1945), a German lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Reichstag, the German parliament, in the early 20th century.
These are just a few examples of the rich history and diverse backgrounds associated with the STIERS surname, which has left its mark across various regions and eras, reflecting the migration patterns and cultural influences of those who have carried this name through generations.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Stiers
Among Census respondents with the surname Stiers, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.8%) and Hispanic (1.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Stiers 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 Stiers surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.3%
- Two or more races1.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.7%
- Black or African American0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Stiers 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 | #22,770 | #23,457 | -3.0% |
| Count | 1,052 | 1,084 | 3.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.39 | 0.37 | -5.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Stiers bearers went from 1,052 to 1,084 (+3.0% change). The surname moved down 687 positions in the national ranking, going from #22,770 to #23,457.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Stiers
FAQ
Stiers surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Stiers?
The surname Stiers holds position #23,457 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,268 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.37 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Stiers surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Stiers, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (1.8%) and Hispanic (1.4%). 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.