stein

Stein is a term with several related meanings in German and English. In German, Stein literally means stone or rock and is used in many compound words and place names. It is also a common surname in German-speaking countries and among descendants of German-speaking communities. The English loanword stein most commonly refers to a beer mug, traditionally made of ceramic, pewter, or glass and often fitted with a hinged lid. Beer steins originated in German-speaking regions during the late Middle Ages, partly to satisfy sanitary regulations that required lids, and became popular as decorative collectibles in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In onomastics, Stein as a surname may derive from a geographic name or from the German word for stone; notable individuals include Gertrude Stein (1874–1946), an American author and patron of the arts. The name remains common in German, Jewish, and other communities and has given rise to many place names and familial lineages.

Geographically, Stein appears in the names of towns and natural features in German-speaking regions and in immigrant communities across the Americas. In archaeology and geology, Stein is used in German-language contexts to refer to stone or stone-related formations and materials.

The term Stein thus spans language, culture, and material culture, illustrating how a simple word for "stone" has become a common surname, a traditional drinking vessel, and a toponym.