Stephens

Stephens is a surname of English origin derived from the given name Stephen, itself from the Greek Stephanos meaning crown or garland. The suffix -s in Stephens typically indicates a patronymic formation, meaning “son of Stephen” or “belonging to Stephen.” The name appears in medieval England and spread with English and Scottish migration to Ireland, North America, and other parts of the English-speaking world.

Today Stephens is a relatively common surname in many countries and is found among descendants of English and Scottish settlers, often continuing to appear in place names and local histories. It is used as a geographic identifier in some towns, counties, and neighborhoods in the United States and other regions.

In business and contemporary culture, Stephens Inc., a private investment bank based in Little Rock, Arkansas, is one notable modern usage of the name. The surname Stephens is borne by numerous individuals across politics, science, the arts, and sports, reflecting its broad distribution and long history.

See also Stevens, Stephenson, and Stephens (disambiguation) for related names and additional uses of the term.