Surname Stiers - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Stiers: What does the surname Stiers mean?
The last name Stiers is a German surname originating from Central Europe and is thought to have gotten its start as an occupational surname. This means it was used by people who engaged in a particular activity or who held a specific position within a community as a way of distinguishing themselves from other members of their society.
The word is derived from the Old High German stiuri, which means "servant", and indicates that the original bearer of the name was likely a servant of some sort. It could be a butler, chamberlain, or steward, but the exact figures are unknown. Historically, those with this surname may have worked for the aristocracy in some capacity.
The surname Stiers continues to be used in many parts of Germany, but has spread to other parts of Europe and the world, including America, over the centuries. The name can still be found in various forms, though it has been changed in many places to appear more clearly German or American. Today, those with the Stiers surname come from a variety of backgrounds and are unlikely to all share a common ancestral origin.
Order DNA origin analysisStiers: Where does the name Stiers come from?
The last name Stiers is of German origin and was first found in Rheinland, where the Stiers family made a significant contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later spread across the different territories of Germany and, more recently, throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania. Today, the last name Stiers is abundant in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia. It is also common in several countries in Europe, especially Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Today, Stiers is a surname with a unique history. The surname is not particularly associated with any one geographic area; rather, it has seen considerable geographical diffusion due to the movement of its holders over the centuries between countries and regions. It is less common in the United Kingdom than in the United States and Europe, but it is still found in England, Scotland, and Wales. Despite its wide geographical range, the surname has retained its German heritage and is still widely present in many German-speaking areas today.
Variations of the surname Stiers
The surname Stiers has several variants, spellings, and related surnames with origins from the same source.
In the German language, the surname is spelled "Stier" and in the Netherlands, the name is spelled "Steer", while in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the name is spelled "Stierhofer". These variations are thought to come from Ahnentafel, which is a genealogical system used by German-speaking families to trace their ancestry.
The spelling of the surname also varies by region and time. It has been recorded as Steyer, Stöhr, Stierle, and Stir. In some cases, the spelling changed to more anglicized versions such as "Styers", "Stire" or "Stires".
In France, the surname is spelled "de Stiers". This version is thought to have originated as a reference to one's place of origin.
Related surnames include Steers, Steyer, Sterr, Stair, Stehr, Stöhr, Styright, and Stratt.
Despite the many variations in spelling of the same origin, all these surnames can be traced back to "Stiers", the original German variant.
Famous people with the name Stiers
- David Ogden Stiers: Emmy-nominated American actor best known for his roles in M*A*S*H and The Untouchables.
- Richard Stiers: Emmy Award-winning director, producer, and writer with credits on popular TV shows such as The X-Files, Girls, and Will & Grace.
- Craig Stiers: TV and film producer, best known for producing the 1998 film Black Dog and executive producing the TV series NYPD Blue.
- Elizabeth Stiers: American film and TV producer, best known for producing the film Nine Lives and the romantic comedy How to Make Love to a Woman.
- Matt Stiers: Producers Guild of America Award winning film and TV director, best known for directing the 2002 movie Slackers.
- Tonia Stiers: American voice-over actress best known for her work on Disney Channel’s Kim Possible, John Callahan’s Quads!, and The Wild Thornberrys.
- Marty Stiers: American actor and screenwriter who has appeared in films such as The Natural and Six Pack.
- Jeffrey Stiers: Emmy nominated reality television producer, known for producing series such as Cash Cab, Hollywood Treasure, and Property Brothers.
- Joseph Stiers: American actor, best known for his role in the 2011 movie The Rhyme Killer.
- Kenneth Stiers: American actor best known for his role in the 2017 movie Slackline.