Stewart Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Stewart surname: its meaning, its roots in Scotland, and its heraldry.
Origin of the Stewart name
Stewart is an occupational surname for a steward, from Old English stigweard, "house guardian". In Scotland the hereditary High Stewards of the royal household became the royal house of Stewart, which later ruled England too. The name is very common in Scotland and Ulster.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Stewart name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Stewart name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Northern Ireland, Canada and the United States; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Stewart family history
The researched Stewart pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Stewart coat of arms.
Stewart name FAQ
What does the Stewart name mean?
Steward. Common variants include Stuart, Steward, Stewardson.
Where does the Stewart surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in Northern Ireland, Canada and the United States.
Is there a Stewart coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Stewart crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Stewart coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).