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

Stewart, 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 Stewart surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Stewart in America

Stewart is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Stewart surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Stewart.

The history of the last name Stewart

The surname Stuwart originates from Scotland and traces its roots back to the medieval period. It is derived from the old English word "stigweard," meaning "household guardian" or "steward." The elements "stig" and "weard" translate to "house" and "guard," respectively. This was a term used for a person who managed a large estate or household.

The name Stuwart appeared in various historical references and manuscripts. One of the earliest mentions of the name can be found in records dating back to the 13th century. Variations of the name, such as Stewart, were common in early documents. In 1296, an individual named James Stuwart is recorded as pledging allegiance to King Edward I of England in the Ragman Rolls. This document was a collection of instruments by which the nobility and gentry of Scotland were compelled to pledge homage to the English king.

Another early record is of Sir Alexander Stuwart, who fought in the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. The Stuwart family had considerable influence and power during the medieval period in Scotland, as many of its members served as stewards of royal households. The spelling of the name varied over time, influenced by regional dialects and the literacy levels of record-keepers.

The Stuwart name is closely associated with the royal House of Stewart, also spelled Stuart in historical records. James IV of Scotland (born 1473, died 1513) is a prominent figure associated with this name. As the son of James III, he continued the lineage that would eventually rule both Scotland and England. Another notable individual is Mary, Queen of Scots (born 1542, died 1587), whose struggles for power and eventual execution are well-documented in history.

Robert Stuwart was an influential figure in the early 15th century. Born around 1400, he served as the High Steward of Scotland and played a critical role in the governance of the country. His grandson, Alexander Stuwart, known as the "Wolf of Badenoch" (born 1343, died 1405), was infamous for his rebellious actions and territorial disputes.

The name underwent several transformations over the centuries, with the most common modern-day variant being Stewart or Stuart. However, historical records consistently show variations including Stuwart, indicative of the fluid nature of surname spelling in medieval times.

Throughout history, the Stuwart family name has signified a role of responsibility and governance, deeply rooted in Scottish nobility and the royal lineage. Its legacy is preserved in historical records and the accounts of the influential figures who bore the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Stewart

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Stewart 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.

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

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

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