Stephenson

Stephenson is a surname of English origin. It is a patronymic formed from Stephen, meaning “son of Stephen.” The standard spelling is Stephenson; other forms include Stephens, and Stevenson is a related variant often derived from Steven. The name is common in the United Kingdom and the United States and appears in various place names and institutions.

Two of the most prominent bearers are George Stephenson (1781–1848), a railway engineer often called the Father of Railways for developing the early steam locomotive era. His designs powered the Stockton and Darlington Railway (opened 1825) and the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (opened 1830). He is associated with the locomotive Rocket, built for the Rainhill Trials of 1829. His son, Robert Stephenson (1803–1852), continued his work as a civil engineer, co-founding Robert Stephenson and Company, and constructing major projects such as the High Level Bridge over the River Tyne (1849) and numerous locomotives.

In addition to these figures, other people bearing the surname have achieved distinction in politics, science, and the arts. The name also appears in place names in the United States, such as Stephenson, Virginia, and Stephenson County, Illinois.