Surname Starnes - Meaning and Origin

My Intriguing Journey Into Ancestry: Unfolding the History of Surname Starnes Through iGENEA DNA Test

Often curiosity is the driving force behind every great discovery. When I chose to delve deeper into the lineage of the surname Starnes with iGENEA's DNA test, I embarked on an enlightening journey. The fascinating insights and revelations brought about a deepened understanding of my heritage and made the abstract idea of ancestry incredibly personal and real.

C. Starnes

Starnes: What does the surname Starnes mean?

The last name Starnes is of English origin and is believed to have geographical roots, being derived from a place name. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old English words "stær", which means 'star', and “-nes”, a topographic suffix used to denote a headland or promontory in a landscape. Thus, it might mean 'headland with the star'. It is also thought that Starnes could be derived from a person who lived by or occupied a notable stoney region or topographic area. It's found mainly in the southern and south-western counties of England. Like many surnames, Starnes may have begun as a nickname or occupational name, then became hereditary as it passed down through generations. Over time, the spelling of the surname has seen many variations including Starns, Sterns, Stearns and others. Though this surname is not very common, individuals with the last name Starnes can be found throughout the English-speaking world today.

Starnes: Where does the name Starnes come from?

The Starnes surname is of British origin and is still common in countries of the former British Empire, particularly in Australia. In the United Kingdom, the surname is most commonly found in Scotland, as well as in northern and central England. In the United States, the last name is particularly common in the Appalachian region, where families with this surname have been present since the earliest colonial days. It is also likely to be found in southern states, born from those who migrated in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In the US today, the Starnes surname is the 980th most common, with an estimated 25,000 people bearing the name. It ranks relatively high in several Southern states, including North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi. In terms of population, North Carolina holds the largest population with over 5,000 individuals carrying the name.

The Starnes surname is also quite common in Canada and Australia, where it is similarly listed as one of the more prominent surnames in those countries. In fact, Canadians with this last name have been documented as early as the 1700s, when some of the first British settlers arrived.

Overall, the Starnes surname is still quite common today, and can be found scattered all over the world. It is most popular in former British Commonwealth countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, it is also present in countries in Europe and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Starnes

The surname Starnes is derived from the Olde English word 'stearn', meaning 'stern' or 'firm'. As such, there are a number of different variants, spellings and surnames that are derived from the same origin.

The most common variant of the surname is Starne, though there are also some less common spellings including Stern, Sterne, Stearn and Stearne. The surname has also been known to appear on records as 'Starn', in both its noun and verb forms.

Another variant of the surname is Sterns, which appeared in the 13th century in Scotland and is believed to be a variant of Stairn. The curtailed spelling Stern has its own spellings such as Sterns, Sterne and Stearns.

Variant surnames of Starnes include Starno and Sterno, both of which appear on records in the 14th century. The surname has also been known to appear as Starnes, Sterne, Sterry, Sterrye, Steery, and Styer.

Other surnames that may derive from the same root include Staroe, Staroey, Stearce, Stearns, Starin, Starine, Staring and Starling.

In conclusion, there is an array of variants, spellings and surnames that derive from the same root as Starnes, including Starne, Stern, Sterne, Stairn, Sterns, Sterno, Starno, Starn, Starnes, Sterry, Sterrye, Steery, Styer, Staroe, Staroey, Stearce, Stearns, Starin, Starine, Staring and Starling.

Famous people with the name Starnes

• Ken Starnes: a musician from Newfoundland, Canada who plays the fiddle, mandolin, and guitar.
• Eddie Starnes: former offensive lineman in the NFL who played for teams such as San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and the Oakland Raiders.
• Stephen Starnes: British contemporary artist best known for his abstract landscapes.
• Dorothy Starnes: voice actor who has provided voice for such characters as Cinderella in Disney’s Cinderella, The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, and Aunt Polly in Tom Sawyer.
• Kay Starnes: one of the pioneering female sportscaster and TV anchor for ESPN.
• Warren Starnes: the first person to climb all of Colorado’s 14ers.
• Hudson Starnes: a professional tennis player and coach.
• J.E. Starnes: one of the founding members of the Nashville Urology Group.
• Brit Starnes: an award-winning photographer specializing in food image making.
• Mother Starnes: an educator and advocate for African American civil rights in the late 19th century.

Other surnames

StarnbergStarnboroughStarns