NameCensus.

UK surname

Steyn

Dutch surname meaning "from the stone" or "from the quarry."

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Steyn surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 315, ranked #14,258, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kingston upon Thames, Merton and North Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Steyn is 315 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15650.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

315

2016, ranked #14,258

Peak year

2016

315 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Steyn had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 315 in 2016, ranked #14,258.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 19 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Steyn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Steyn surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Steyn 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 19 #31,911
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 76 #29,997
1998 modern 99 #27,785
1999 modern 130 #23,805
2000 modern 136 #23,155
2001 modern 141 #22,344
2002 modern 175 #19,902
2003 modern 199 #18,195
2004 modern 211 #17,590
2005 modern 219 #17,126
2006 modern 255 #15,521
2007 modern 278 #14,773
2008 modern 291 #14,430
2009 modern 296 #14,557
2010 modern 312 #14,314
2011 modern 305 #14,439
2012 modern 299 #14,537
2013 modern 306 #14,557
2014 modern 310 #14,499
2015 modern 299 #14,796
2016 modern 315 #14,258

Geography

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Where Steyns 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 Kingston upon Thames, Merton, North Devon, Tunbridge Wells and Joppa. 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 Kingston upon Thames 002 Kingston upon Thames
2 Merton 011 Merton
3 North Devon 014 North Devon
4 Tunbridge Wells 003 Tunbridge Wells
5 Joppa City of Edinburgh

Forenames

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First names often paired with Steyn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Steyn

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Steyn, 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 Steyn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Steyn 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Steyn is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Steyn 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

Steyn falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Steyn 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 Steyn, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Steyn

The surname "STEYN" is of Dutch origin and can be traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the Netherlands, particularly in the provinces of North and South Holland, where it was commonly found among the Dutch-speaking population.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "STEYN" can be found in the Dutch baptismal records of the 16th and 17th centuries. These records often referred to individuals with the surname "STEYN" or its various spelling variations, such as "STEIN" or "STEIJN".

The name "STEYN" is derived from the Middle Dutch word "stein," which means "stone" or "rock." It is likely that the name was initially given to individuals who lived near a prominent stone or rocky area, or perhaps even to those who worked with stone as a profession, such as stonemasons or quarry workers.

In the Netherlands, the surname "STEYN" is often associated with certain place names, such as Steenwijkerwold, Steenderen, and Steenbergen. These place names may have influenced the development and spread of the surname in different regions.

One notable figure in history who bore the surname "STEYN" was Marthinus Theunis Steyn (1857-1916), a South African lawyer and statesman who served as the sixth President of the Orange Free State from 1896 to 1902. He played a significant role in the Second Boer War against the British Empire.

Another prominent individual with the surname "STEYN" was Sir Marten Jacobus Steyn (1897-1957), a South African-born British jurist and judge who served as the President of the International Court of Justice from 1955 to 1957.

In the field of literature, the Dutch writer Kees Stip (pseudonym of Cornelis Steyn, 1913-1998) was a notable figure known for his novels and short stories, many of which explored themes of social justice and human rights.

Jan Steyn (1675-1751) was a Dutch painter and engraver who lived and worked in Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age. His works are notable for their detailed depictions of landscapes and cityscapes.

Lastly, Johanna Steyn (1864-1914) was a South African writer and poet who wrote in both Afrikaans and English. She is considered one of the pioneers of Afrikaans literature and played a significant role in promoting the use of the Afrikaans language in literary circles.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Steyn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Steyn 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 1 Steyns recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.19x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 5.19x
Midlothian 1 38.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 1 Steyns recorded in 1881 and an index of 96.15x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 96.15x
St Pancras London 1 64.52x

Top male names

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

Name Count
M.J. 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 Steyn households.

Occupation Count
Law Student 1

FAQ

Steyn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Steyn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Steyn surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Steyn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 315 in 2016. That gives Steyn a modern rank of #14,258.

What does the Steyn surname mean?

Dutch surname meaning "from the stone" or "from the quarry."

What does the Steyn map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Steyn 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.