Surname Stöck - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Discovering My Unexpected Ancient Roots with Stöck Surname via iGENEA
When the iGENEA DNA test results zipped into my inbox, a rush of excitement surged through me. Surprises, revelations, and unexpected turns were there, all waiting for me. The Stöck name has always been associated with the German diaspora, but the DNA laid out a whole new narrative.
P. Stöck
read moreStöck: What does the surname Stöck mean?
The last name Stöck is of German origin and has two potential meanings. In some cases, Stöck is derived from the Middle High German word "stoc" meaning "trunk," which is related to the English word "stock." This meaning suggests a possible origin as an occupational name for a woodworker.
In other cases, the name Stöck is derived from the Old High German word "stug," meaning "piece," or "portion." This could be a reference to the medieval practice of dividing a piece of land amongst the children of a family, in which case the name would mean “son of a portioner”.
The Stöck name is associated with several noble families throughout Germany. It was popular among the nobility due to its perhaps evocative elements of power and prestige. The spelling of the name was sometimes altered in the centuries following its adoption - from the original Stöck form to Stock, Stoock, Stoecke, Stöke, and Stöcke.
Regardless of its original meaning, the name Stöck today is associated with the legacy of proud and powerful German families throughout the region.
Order DNA origin analysisStöck: Where does the name Stöck come from?
The last name Stöck is most commonly found today in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is also found in other parts of Europe, including Austria and Switzerland, as well as in certain parts of Scandinavia. The origin of the name is likely German, although it is possible that it may have been introduced to other regions by migrations from Germany.
The name Stöck is thought to be derived from the German word ‘Stöcke’, which itself is derived from the Old High German word ‘stacca’ and related to the Proto-Germanic word ‘stakkaz’. These words all refer to a ‘stick’ or ‘pole’, and the surname was likely first taken by someone who made or crafted sticks. This is reflected in the alternative spelling ‘Stöckl’ which is also used occasionally, particularly in Austria.
Stöck is not an especially common name, and the 2000 German census recorded only around 6,500 people with the last name, mostly found in Bavaria. However, due to the large number of German-speaking populations around the world, it is also possible to find people with the surname Stöck living in other countries, including Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Stöck
The surname Stöck is of German-language origin and is derived from the old German word “stoc” (meaning “tree” or “wood”) indicating a person of a wooded region. Variations in spelling and other surnames of similar origin include Stöckl, Stock, Stoeckl, Stoeckel, Stöckel, and Stockl.
Stöck is predominantly seen as a surname in Germany and Austria, with the highest concentrations found in the areas of Bavaria, North-Rhine Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony in Germany, and in Vienna and Upper Austria in Austria.
Variants of Stöck include Stöckle, Stöckler, and Stöckelt. These variants are primarily used in German-speaking areas and are thought to be derived from the original meaning of “tree”.
In the United States, some immigrants with the surname Stöck have spelled it “Stick” or “Stocks”. This is likely due to the difficulty of pronouncing the ‘ö’ sound and an attempt to better fit the name into the English language.
In both Germany and the United States, some families bearing variants of the Stöck surname have adopted hyphenations such as “Stöck-” or “Stöckel-” as a result of several generations of a family bearing the same surname. Along with the Stöck surname, families with similar beginnings may also adopt a hyphenation.
Finally, some families bearing the surname Stöck have adopted the surname “Staack” in some cases. This appears to be a variation of the surname Stöck which has been adopted by a small number of families in Germany, Austria, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Stöck
- Heinz Stöck: German ski jumper who won four individual World Cup ski jumping events and brought home three medals from the Winter Olympics.
- Johannes Stöck: German film director, editor and producer who has directed award-winning documentaries.
- Susanne Stöckl: German former sprinter who was the first German woman to win an Olympic medal in track and field.
- Christian Stöck: German football goalkeeper who has played for several clubs in the Bundesliga 2.
- Blaschke Stöck: Austrian former weightlifter who won three bronze Olympic medals in the Summer Games.
- Karoline Stöck: Austrian journalist and broadcaster who has hosted Bianca, the RTL2 evening news program, since 2003.
- Marit Stöck: Icelandic figure skater who became the first lady from her nation to qualify for the Olympics when she competed at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.
- Petra M. Stöck: German international business leader known for her tenure as the Head of Global Compensation and Benefits at Siemens AG, among other posts.
- Jürgen Stöck: German former professional tennis player who achieved a career-high world ranking of 65 during May 1991.
- Kurt Stöck: Austrian former bobsledder who won a total of three World Cup medals.