Surname Stephanus - Meaning and Origin
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Stephanus: What does the surname Stephanus mean?
The last name Stephanus is derived from the male first name Stephen, which is derived from the Greek name “Stephanos”, meaning “crown” or “garland”.
The significance of the name likely comes from the New Testament story of Stephen, who was the first martyr of the Christian faith. He was chosen by the disciples to help spread the gospel and faith, and was reportedly full of faith and power. As a result of his actions, he was stoned to death for his devotion to the Lord.
The name Stephanus is thought to reflect this strong commitment to faith and can be seen as a religious reminder for those who carry it. It is similar to other surnames that derive from Christian saints, such as Stephan, which in some cases is a shortened version of the last name.
For many people with the name Stephanus, it may be a reflection of their faith and an emblem of dedication and strength. Those who carry his name can look to him and his story for encouragement and inspiration. As a result, the last name Stephanus is an important reminder of strength and commitment to Christianity, and the legacy of Stephen’s martyrdom.
Order DNA origin analysisStephanus: Where does the name Stephanus come from?
The last name Stephanus is most commonly found in South Africa and certain parts of Europe. It is among the top 100 surnames in Netherlands, with the highest density of Stephanus found in and around Utrecht. In South Africa, Stephanus is particularly prevalent in Cape Town, and parts of the Western Cape province. It is a relatively common last name throughout the African continent, particularly in the countries that make up the southern region.
In the United States, Stephanus is not a very popular last name. The U.S. Census Bureau data from 2010 noted that Stephanus was among the least common names in the entire country, numbering only around 570 people. However, in recent years, the name appears to be slightly more popular, with a noticeable increase in its usage since the early 2000s.
Elsewhere in the world, Stephanus can be seen in certain parts of Germany, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Indonesia and parts of Asia.
In short, Stephanus is a last name of Dutch and African origin that is still quite common in much of these parts of the world. It is relatively unknown in the United States, although this may be changing with time. Heavily concentrated in South Africa and parts of Europe, the name continues to be one of the more popular surnames in its respective countries.
Variations of the surname Stephanus
The surname Stephanus is derived from the Latin given name Stephanus (Greek Stephanos). Common variants of the surname include Stephenson, Stevens, and Stephens. Forms of the surname from other languages, such as German, include Stephan, Steffen, Stephanus, and Steffan. In some cultures, the surname can be spelled more phonetically as Stevensen, Stieven, and Stefanson.
The Scottish variant is Stephen or Stevens, and the primarily Irish variant is Stephens. In France, the surname is spelled Stéphane and can also be found as Étienne. In Spanish, the surname is spelled Esteban or Estevan. In Dutch, the surname is spelled Stevensen or Stephans. In Polish, the surname is spelled Szczepan or Szczypiorski. In Scandinavian countries, the surname is spelled Steffen, Stephan, or Steffensen.
Within the United States, some variants have been changed even further. For instance, Stephen may be changed to Stefans or Stafans, and Stephens may be changed to Stefanson or Stafanson. Moreover, within some families, a double last name may be adopted, such as Stephen-Stephens or Stephan-Stephens.
In various cultures, the surname may also be adapted with a prefix or suffix, such as O'Stephen, MacStephen, and Stephendson,often as a nod to culture or a way to distinguish different lineages.
Famous people with the name Stephanus
- Alexey Stepanov: Russian singer and songwriter
- Afrikaansc Stephanus: South African actor
- Frieda Stephanus: South African actress
- Steve Stephanus: South African entrepreneur
- Stephanus Botha: South African rugby player
- Annalie Stephanus: South African actress
- Nicholas Stepanov: Russian composer
- Pyotr Stepanov: Russian composer
- Evgeny Stepanov: Russian guitarist
- Dorothy Stephanus: South African artist
- Nhlanhla Stephanius: South African internet entrepreneur
- Velma Stephanus: South African producer
- Wole Stephanus: Nigerian actor
- Olizar Stephanus: Slovakian filmmaker
- Alexander Stepanov: Russian mathematician
- Sergei Stepanov: Ukrainian sprinter
- Andrei Stepanov: Russian weightlifter
- Leonid Stepanov: Ukrainian beach volleyball player
- Marina Stepanov: Russian figure skater
- Akka Stephanus: South African actor and singer