UK surname

Stevens

An English patronymic surname meaning "son of Steven," derived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "wreath."

In the 1881 census there were 31,223 people recorded with the Stevens surname, ranking it #102 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 46,647, ranked #105, down from #102 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Mendip and Maidstone.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stevens is 48,002 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 49.4%.

1881 census count

31,223

Ranked #102

Modern count

46,647

2016, ranked #105

Peak year

1999

48,002 bearers

Map years

1851 to 2016

Key insights

• Stevens had 31,223 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #102 surname in that year.
• The latest modern count shown here is 46,647 in 2016, ranked #105.
• Within the historical census years, the highest count was 43,262 in 1911.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Map

Stevens surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stevens surname density by area, 1881 census.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Stevens 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	19,808	#107
1861	historical	18,688	#117
1881	historical	31,223	#102
1891	historical	33,663	#99
1901	historical	39,670	#99
1911	historical	43,262	#84
1997	modern	45,916	#101
1998	modern	47,752	#100
1999	modern	48,002	#100
2000	modern	47,614	#100
2001	modern	46,449	#101
2002	modern	47,413	#102
2003	modern	46,097	#104
2004	modern	45,972	#105
2005	modern	44,980	#107
2006	modern	45,001	#108
2007	modern	45,355	#107
2008	modern	45,629	#107
2009	modern	46,813	#107
2010	modern	47,634	#108
2011	modern	46,922	#107
2012	modern	46,348	#105
2013	modern	47,304	#105
2014	modern	47,627	#105
2015	modern	47,050	#105
2016	modern	46,647	#105

Geography

Where Stevens' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Mendip and Maidstone. 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	Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff	Gloucestershire
2	London parishes	London 1
3	London parishes	London 3
4	St Pancras	London (North Districts)
5	Lambeth	London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank	Area	District
1	Cornwall 054	Cornwall
2	Cornwall 058	Cornwall
3	Mendip 010	Mendip
4	Cornwall 057	Cornwall
5	Maidstone 013	Maidstone

Forenames

First names often paired with Stevens

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

Historical female names

Elizabeth Ann Annie Alice Eliza Edith Charlotte Caroline Ada Catherine

Historical male names

Charles Alfred Arthur Edward Albert Edwin David Benjamin Daniel Edmund

Recent female names

Susan Margaret Sarah Emma Elizabeth Julie Claire Karen Nicola Patricia

Recent male names

David John Paul Mark Michael Robert Andrew Richard Peter James

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Stevens

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Stevens, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Stevens surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Stevens 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Stevens is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Stevens is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stevens falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stevens 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.

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: White - British

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Stevens

The surname Stevens has its origins in England, stemming from the medieval given name Steven, which was derived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "garland." The name initially emerged as a patronymic, denoting "son of Steven."

The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 13th century, with references found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273. These ancient records mention individuals such as Robert Stevene and William Stevene, indicating the name's presence in medieval England.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Stevens has been subject to various spelling variations, including Steevens, Steavens, and Stevyns. These variations were common due to inconsistent spelling practices in earlier times.

Notably, the surname Stevens appears in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, the comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror. This historical document recorded landowners and their holdings across England, offering valuable insights into the distribution of the name during the Norman era.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Stevens throughout history, Sir Thomas Stevens (1549-1619) stands out as a prominent English courtier during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as the Lord President of the Council of the Marches and played a significant role in the administration of Wales.

Another distinguished figure was John Stevens (1616-1692), an English Puritan minister and author who emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century. He became a respected minister in Andover, Massachusetts, and his sermons and writings left a lasting impact on colonial New England.

In the realm of exploration, John Stevens (1749-1838) was a notable American engineer and inventor. He pioneered the development of steam-powered transportation, contributing to the design and construction of the first steamboat to navigate the Hudson River.

The name Stevens has also been associated with various place names, such as Steventon in Hampshire, England, and Stevensweert in the Netherlands, further reflecting its geographical distribution and influence.

Edward Stevens (1923-1999) was a prolific British author and illustrator, renowned for his children's books and his contributions to the field of children's literature. His works, including the beloved "The Luckiest Girl in the World" series, captivated young readers worldwide.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the surname Stevens throughout history, leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of this name's legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Stevens families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stevens 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 5,510 Stevens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.81x.

County	Total	Frequency	Index
Middlesex	5,510	0.19%	1.81x
Surrey	3,262	0.23%	2.20x
Kent	2,247	0.23%	2.16x
Sussex	1,626	0.33%	3.16x
Devon	1,241	0.20%	1.95x
Cornwall	1,173	0.35%	3.40x
Somerset	1,072	0.23%	2.18x
Hampshire	1,071	0.18%	1.71x
Staffordshire	1,005	0.10%	0.98x
Gloucestershire	918	0.16%	1.53x
Buckinghamshire	866	0.49%	4.70x
Essex	851	0.15%	1.41x
Wiltshire	850	0.33%	3.15x
Lancashire	825	0.02%	0.23x
Warwickshire	773	0.10%	1.01x
Yorkshire	670	0.02%	0.22x
Derbyshire	642	0.14%	1.34x
Berkshire	596	0.27%	2.60x
Oxfordshire	546	0.30%	2.90x
Leicestershire	533	0.16%	1.58x
Worcestershire	514	0.13%	1.29x
Dorset	416	0.22%	2.08x
Bedfordshire	410	0.27%	2.60x
Hertfordshire	360	0.18%	1.71x
Nottinghamshire	354	0.09%	0.86x
Glamorgan	257	0.05%	0.48x
Cambridgeshire	244	0.13%	1.26x
Suffolk	233	0.07%	0.63x
Northamptonshire	216	0.08%	0.75x
Norfolk	214	0.05%	0.46x
Durham	205	0.02%	0.23x
Lincolnshire	156	0.03%	0.32x
Monmouthshire	149	0.07%	0.68x
Cheshire	144	0.02%	0.21x
Midlothian	123	0.03%	0.30x
Lanarkshire	109	0.01%	0.11x
Huntingdonshire	99	0.17%	1.63x
Shropshire	60	0.02%	0.23x
Northumberland	58	0.01%	0.13x
Royal Navy	54	0.16%	1.49x
Fife	53	0.03%	0.29x
Perthshire	46	0.04%	0.34x
Channel Islands	44	0.05%	0.49x
Ayrshire	43	0.02%	0.19x
Denbighshire	40	0.04%	0.35x
Herefordshire	35	0.03%	0.28x
Cumberland	30	0.01%	0.11x
Pembrokeshire	29	0.03%	0.30x
Renfrewshire	29	0.01%	0.12x
Angus	26	0.01%	0.09x
Rutland	24	0.11%	1.07x
Stirlingshire	20	0.02%	0.18x
Caernarfonshire	19	0.02%	0.15x
West Lothian	16	0.04%	0.35x
Dunbartonshire	14	0.02%	0.17x
Carmarthenshire	13	0.01%	0.10x
Montgomeryshire	12	0.02%	0.17x
Ross-shire	12	0.02%	0.14x
Brecknockshire	11	0.02%	0.18x
Anglesey	10	0.02%	0.19x
Inverness-shire	8	0.01%	0.09x
Kinross-shire	8	0.11%	1.04x
Merionethshire	8	0.02%	0.14x
Peeblesshire	8	0.06%	0.56x
Flintshire	7	0.01%	0.09x
Isle of Man	7	0.01%	0.12x
Radnorshire	7	0.03%	0.28x
Aberdeenshire	6	0.00%	0.02x
Dumfriesshire	6	0.01%	0.09x
East Lothian	6	0.02%	0.15x
Cardiganshire	2	0.00%	0.03x
Roxburghshire	2	0.00%	0.04x
Westmorland	2	0.00%	0.03x
Argyllshire	1	0.00%	0.01x
Berwickshire	1	0.00%	0.03x
Buteshire	1	0.01%	0.05x
Kincardineshire	1	0.00%	0.03x
Wigtownshire	1	0.00%	0.02x

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 493 Stevens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.01x.

Place	Total	Frequency	Index
St Pancras London	493	0.21%	2.01x
Islington London	467	0.16%	1.58x
Lambeth	406	0.16%	1.53x
Camberwell	396	0.21%	2.03x
Kensington London	341	0.21%	2.01x
St Ives	335	5.18%	49.58x
Hackney London	303	0.19%	1.77x
Brighton	291	0.29%	2.81x
Aston	274	0.14%	1.29x
St Marylebone London	259	0.17%	1.59x
Birmingham	251	0.10%	0.98x
Bethnal Green London	248	0.20%	1.87x
Shoreditch London	241	0.19%	1.82x
Portsea	236	0.20%	1.93x
Mile End Old Town	234	0.51%	4.86x
Newington	228	0.21%	2.02x
Bermondsey	224	0.26%	2.47x
West Ham	210	0.16%	1.58x
Battersea	199	0.19%	1.77x
Paddington London	187	0.17%	1.67x
Bromley London	183	0.28%	2.73x
Hammersmith London	172	0.24%	2.29x
Croydon	170	0.22%	2.06x
Chelsea London	168	0.19%	1.83x
Kingswinford	166	0.46%	4.44x
Clerkenwell London	160	0.23%	2.22x
St George Hanover	157	0.41%	3.94x
West Bromwich	151	0.27%	2.56x
Leicester St Margaret	138	0.17%	1.67x
Deptford St Paul	130	0.17%	1.62x
Eastbourne	123	0.54%	5.20x
Lewisham	114	0.21%	2.05x
Madron Penzance	112	0.93%	8.92x
Southwark St George Martyr	110	0.19%	1.79x
Maidstone	106	0.36%	3.42x
Kingston On Thames	105	0.31%	2.94x
Dudley	104	0.22%	2.15x
Greenwich	104	0.22%	2.14x
Plymouth St Andrew	102	0.22%	2.09x
Bristol St Philip Jacob	97	0.18%	1.72x
Nottingham St Mary	95	0.09%	0.89x
Rowley Regis	95	0.35%	3.31x
Clapham	94	0.26%	2.47x
Cheltenham	93	0.21%	2.02x
Reading St Giles	88	0.41%	3.92x
Wycombe	88	0.67%	6.40x
Aylesbury	87	1.11%	10.65x
Newhaven	83	2.07%	19.87x
Trowbridge	83	0.73%	6.96x
St George In East	81	0.41%	3.90x
Tottenham	81	0.17%	1.67x
Ealing	79	0.30%	2.90x
Oldbury	77	0.41%	3.93x
Woking	77	0.90%	8.60x
Liverpool	76	0.04%	0.35x
Bow London	75	0.20%	1.93x
Kings Norton	74	0.22%	2.07x
Plumstead	74	0.22%	2.13x
Harborne	73	0.23%	2.21x
Barking	72	0.43%	4.09x
St Luke London	71	0.15%	1.45x
Leighton Buzzard	68	1.05%	10.01x
Rotherhithe	68	0.19%	1.80x
Fulham London	66	0.16%	1.49x
Hove	63	0.29%	2.79x
Shefford	63	5.86%	56.08x
Westbury On Trym	63	0.32%	3.11x
Tiverton	61	0.58%	5.58x
Hampstead London	60	0.13%	1.26x
Northfleet	59	0.67%	6.44x
Walcot	59	0.24%	2.26x
Bedminster	58	0.13%	1.26x
Chiswick	58	0.36%	3.48x
Stoke Upon Trent	58	0.06%	0.53x
Tormoham	58	0.23%	2.16x
Wandsworth	57	0.20%	1.94x
Crondall	56	1.74%	16.68x
Willesden	56	0.20%	1.95x
Poplar London	55	0.10%	0.96x
Westminster St John	55	0.15%	1.48x

Top female names

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

Name	Count
Mary	1,863
Elizabeth	1,249
Sarah	978
Eliza	594
Emma	574
Jane	547
Ann	526
Ellen	491
Annie	482
Alice	463
Emily	410
Louisa	260
Martha	250
Hannah	242
Charlotte	226
Harriet	226
Caroline	222
Maria	220
Florence	211
Edith	201
Fanny	187
Ada	183
Kate	172
Margaret	167
Susan	150
Clara	146
Catherine	144
Lucy	135
Frances	123
Rose	116
Harriett	114
Anne	111
Agnes	105
Matilda	101
Amelia	89
Minnie	86
Rebecca	86
Julia	84
Amy	77
Jessie	75
Sophia	72
Esther	65
Isabella	63
Ethel	59
Elizth.	55
Helen	51
Gertrude	50
Susannah	50
Anna	49
Bessie	49

Top male names

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

Name	Count
William	2,001
John	1,542
George	1,181
James	924
Thomas	911
Henry	805
Charles	675
Joseph	449
Alfred	375
Edward	375
Frederick	348
Arthur	304
Richard	302
Samuel	268
Walter	258
Robert	255
Albert	254
Harry	206
Ernest	143
Frank	142
Edwin	127
Herbert	102
Francis	99
David	97
Wm.	76
Benjamin	75
Thos.	70
Daniel	61
Sidney	51
Stephen	51
Isaac	48
Fredrick	46
Fred	40
Sydney	39
Fredk.	36
Geo.	35
Percy	34
Andrew	30
Horace	29
Mark	29
Matthew	29
Edmund	27
Abraham	26
Chas.	26
Jas.	25
Alexander	24
Jesse	23
Job	22
Philip	21
Tom	20

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 Stevens households.

Occupation	Count
Scholar	6,043
Ag Lab	472
Dressmaker	291
Labourer	270
Laundress	262
Domestic Servant	189
Carpenter	176
General Labourer	147
Annuitant	136
General Servant	118
Farm Labourer	116
Coal Miner	109
Housekeeper	107
Charwoman	103
Bricklayer	99
Fisherman	97
Wife	94
Tailor	88
Gardener	85
No Occupation	85
Blacksmith	84
Painter	74
Housemaid	73
Laborer	71
Servant	71
Carman	68
General Laborer	67
Cook	65
Dress Maker	64
None	63
Agricultural Labourer	61
Butcher	61
General Serv	59
Tailoress	57
Errand Boy	55
Grocer	53
Clerk	52
Ag Labourer	48
Domestic Serv	48
Gen Lab	47
Baker	45
General Servant Domestic	42
Farmers Son	41
Pupil Teacher	39
Straw Plaiter	39
Domestic	38
Grocers Assistant	38
Milliner	38
Porter	37
Shoemaker	37

FAQ

Stevens surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stevens surname in 1881?

In 1881, 31,223 people were recorded with the Stevens surname. That placed it at #102 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stevens surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 46,647 in 2016. That gives Stevens a modern rank of #105.

What does the Stevens surname mean?