Surname Step - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Step: What does the surname Step mean?
The surname "Step" is not very common and its origins are somewhat unclear. It could possibly derive from the Middle English word "steppe", which means relating to or characteristic of an uncultivated area of land. Therefore, it could have been used as an occupational or topographic name for someone who lived or worked on a steppe.
Another theory suggests it could originate from a nickname for someone with a distinctive manner of walking. The Middle English "step(pen)" also means to walk or move with one's feet, hence the name could metaphorically represent those who tread lightly or have a particular gait.
It's also worth noting that it might have roots in the German word "stiep" referring to a measure of land. This would suggest the name might have been used to denote someone who owned a certain amount of land.
However, without specific genealogical context, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin and meaning of the surname 'Step'. It may have different origins and meanings across different cultures and societies.
Order DNA origin analysisStep: Where does the name Step come from?
The Step surname is most common throughout the United States, according to data from the US Census Bureau. Moreover, a large population of Steps can be found living in England, with smaller concentrations present in other English-speaking countries, such as Ireland, Wales, Australia, and New Zealand.
Within the United States, the Step surname is most frequently encountered in the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. In these states, it remains one of the top-ranked surnames. It is also common in the Northwestern region, specifically Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
Though the origin of the Step surname is disputed, the most popular theory suggests that it derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "steop", meaning "proud family". That would explain why, as a surname, it is spread so far and wide across the Anglophone world. It is also possible that the word is related to the Norse term "steinn", which translates to mean "stone".
No matter the origin, the Step surname is undeniably widespread today; a reflection of a proud heritage that has been handed down from one generation to the next.
Variations of the surname Step
The surname Step may have many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Depending on the region or culture, the surname Step may be spelled as Stepp, Stapp, Stopp, Stoppe, Steppe, Stepan, Stepanoff, Stephan, Stephans, Steffen, Steffens, Stefan, Stav, Steyman, Steimle, Steimetz, Stephansdottir, Steinmetz, and Steenkamp.
In addition, many countries have adapted the name Step for use in their own languages. In German, the surname Step may be spelled as Steff, Steffen, Steffens, Stepan, or Stepahan. In Czech, Step may become Stepan or Stejskal. In Dutch, Step may become Steegman, Steegmans, Steenkamp, Stepan, and Steijger. In French, Step may be spelled as Étienne or Stehman. In Bulgarian, Step may form Stepan, Stepanova, or Stepanov. In Russian, Step may become Stepanov or Stepanenko.
In Ireland and Scotland, the surname Step may have become Stapp, Stopp, Stoppe, Stepan, or Stepanoff. In Scandinavia, Step may have gotten adapted as the surnames Steinmetz or Stensson. In Poland it may have been changed to Stepanowski.
No matter if the last name Step has been changed or adapted, all of these variants, spellings, and surnames have the same origin. Some just have gotten changed over time and in different countries by different cultures.
Famous people with the name Step
- Tracee Ellis Ross: actress, television host, producer, model, writer, and daughter of Diana Ross.
- Ryan Stephens: professional motocross racer.
- Ciara Step: professional dancer and choreographer.
- Bonz Malone: American hip hop recording artist, songwriter, actor and entrepreneur.
- Ja'Net Dubois: American actress, singer, and dancer, best known for her starring role as Willona Woods on the sitcom Good Times.
- Venus Williams: American professional tennis player.
- Jack Stephens: English footballer who plays as a defender for Southampton.
- Kevon Edwards: professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA.
- Floyd Little: American NFL Hall of Fame running back.
- Craig Step: former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne Football Club.