1. Occupational:
* "Son of Stephen": This is the most common origin, with "Stevenson" being a patronymic surname meaning "son of Stephen." This is a very common pattern in English surnames, where "son" is added to a given name to create a surname.
2. Topographical:
* "From the town of Steven": There are several places in England and Scotland named "Steven" or "Steven's," and the surname may have originated from someone who lived in or near one of these places.
3. Place Name:
* "From the town of Stevens": There are also places named "Stevens" in England and Scotland, which could be another source of the surname.
4. From the given name "Steven":
* Some believe the name could have come from the given name "Steven" itself, without a specific "son of" origin.
Origin of the name "Stephen":
The given name "Stephen" itself comes from the Greek word "Stephanos," meaning "crown" or "wreath." This is a popular name in both Christianity and Judaism, with many notable figures bearing the name, including Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Variations:
The surname Stevenson has several variations, including:
* Stephenson
* Steven
* Stevens
* Steventon
The specific origin of the surname will vary depending on the individual family and their history. Genealogical research can help determine the specific origin of the surname for a particular family.