Steiner Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Steiner last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Steiner last name
Meaning of the Steiner last name: dweller by a rock, or from Stein. Steiner is a topographic name for someone who lived by a prominent rock or stony ground, from Middle High German stein, "stone", with the -er ending for an inhabitant. It can also mean a man from one of many places called Stein. The name is especially common in Austria, Bavaria and Switzerland, where rocky ground was a natural landmark. It is also a Jewish surname, and Rudolf Steiner founded the Waldorf schools. In Austria it is among the most common surnames, especially in Upper Austria, Styria and Carinthia. Many Steiner families emigrated to the United States.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Steiner name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Steiner name in Germany. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Austria, Switzerland and the United States; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Steiner name FAQ
What does the Steiner name mean?
Dweller by a rock, or from Stein. Common variants include Stainer, Steinert, Stein.
Where does the Steiner surname come from?
It originates in Germany, and is also found in Austria, Switzerland and the United States.
Is there a Steiner coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Steiner crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Steiner coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Duden Familiennamen; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).