NameCensus.

UK surname

Steffen

A German occupational surname referring to a steward or administrator of an estate.

In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Steffen surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 113, ranked #28,691, up from #30,464 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newark and Sherwood, South Norfolk and West Berkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Steffen is 114 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 413.6%.

1881 census count

22

Ranked #30,464

Modern count

113

2016, ranked #28,691

Peak year

2014

114 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Steffen had 22 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,464 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016, ranked #28,691.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 33 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Steffen surname distribution map

The map shows where the Steffen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Steffen surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Steffen over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 9 #31,675
1861 historical 28 #30,405
1881 historical 22 #30,464
1891 historical 33 #31,681
1901 historical 27 #31,057
1911 historical 30 #30,073
1997 modern 76 #29,997
1998 modern 85 #29,439
1999 modern 95 #28,465
2000 modern 93 #28,701
2001 modern 90 #28,793
2002 modern 94 #28,797
2003 modern 92 #28,974
2004 modern 93 #29,065
2005 modern 97 #28,485
2006 modern 92 #29,576
2007 modern 93 #29,777
2008 modern 96 #29,654
2009 modern 96 #30,239
2010 modern 100 #30,225
2011 modern 109 #28,653
2012 modern 113 #28,016
2013 modern 113 #28,502
2014 modern 114 #28,608
2015 modern 111 #28,986
2016 modern 113 #28,691

Geography

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Where Steffens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newark and Sherwood, South Norfolk, West Berkshire, Bradford and Sevenoaks. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newark and Sherwood 005 Newark and Sherwood
2 South Norfolk 006 South Norfolk
3 West Berkshire 001 West Berkshire
4 Bradford 013 Bradford
5 Sevenoaks 013 Sevenoaks

Forenames

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First names often paired with Steffen

These lists show first names that appear often with the Steffen surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Steffen

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Steffen, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Steffen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Steffen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Steffen is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Steffen is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Steffen falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Steffen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Steffen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Steffen

The surname Steffen originated in Germany, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the Middle Ages. Derived from the Germanic personal name Stefan or Stephan, which itself comes from the Greek "Stephanos" meaning "crown" or "wreath," the name Steffen likely emerged as a surname in the 12th or 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Steffen can be found in the "Codex Diplomaticus Brandenburgensis," a collection of historical documents from the Margraviate of Brandenburg, where a certain "Henricus Steffen" is mentioned in a document from the year 1375. The name also appears in various other medieval records and manuscripts from different regions of Germany.

The surname Steffen has its roots in various German place names, such as Steffenberg, Steffenshagen, and Steffensweiler, which likely contributed to the formation of the surname. These place names, in turn, may have originated from personal names like Stefan or Stephan, indicating that the surname was initially used to identify individuals based on their place of origin or residence.

Over the centuries, the surname Steffen has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Johann Steffen, a German theologian and reformer who lived in the 16th century (c. 1500-1570). Another notable bearer of the name was Johann Gottlieb Steffen, a German architect and urban planner who was active in the 18th century (1720-1789).

In the realm of literature, Johann Gottfried Steffen, a German writer and poet, made significant contributions during the late 18th and early 19th centuries (1766-1823). The 19th century also saw the rise of Carl Steffen, a German painter and illustrator known for his landscapes and depictions of rural life (1840-1918).

One of the most influential figures with the surname Steffen was Albert Steffen, a Swiss philosopher, poet, and anthroposophist who collaborated closely with Rudolf Steiner and played a significant role in the development of anthroposophy during the early 20th century (1884-1963).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Steffen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Steffen surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 15 Steffens recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.00x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 15 7.00x
Lancashire 3 1.18x
Fife 1 7.88x
Kent 1 1.37x
Lanarkshire 1 1.44x
Yorkshire 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 7 Steffens recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.56x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 7 40.56x
Hackney London 5 41.60x
Kirkdale 3 70.09x
Shadwell London 2 333.33x
Bramham Cum Oglethorpe 1 1250.00x
Bromley 1 89.29x
Burntisland 1 285.71x
Poplar London 1 24.69x
Tradeston 1 10000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Steffen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Amy 1
Carrie 1
Elizabeth 1
Lina 1
Pauline 1
Phoebe 1
Rosa 1
Sarah 1
Sophie 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Steffen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Ernest 2
Albert 1
Claud 1
Frank 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Hy. 1
Jacob 1
Oscar 1
Otto 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Steffen households.

FAQ

Steffen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Steffen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Steffen surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Steffen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016. That gives Steffen a modern rank of #28,691.

What does the Steffen surname mean?

A German occupational surname referring to a steward or administrator of an estate.

What does the Steffen map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Steffen bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.