Surname Stough - Meaning and Origin
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Stough: What does the surname Stough mean?
The last name Stough is of English origin, and is believed to be a shortened version of the last name "Stoughton". It is derived from Old English term "Stoc-tūn", which literally translates to "Stock Farm/Market Town".
The Stough family is believed to have first established themselves in England in the mid-11th century. During this time the family, along with many other families, would have been in charge of cultivating, harvesting, and selling crops within their assigned market town. As the years progressed and they became wealthier, the name evolved from "Stok-tūn" to "Stoughton".
Over the centuries, families bearing the Stough name began to move away from England, settling in the colonies of North America, Ireland, and Scotland. While their names may have stayed the same, each country has its own unique variations of the last name, such as "Stouholm" and "Stuer".
The Stough name symbolizes the strength of generations of farming families that lived in England during the Middle Ages; their dedication and hard work have had a lasting impact on the world. In modern times, the Stough name continues to represent tenacity and perseverance, traits that are still shared by many of its bearers even today.
Order DNA origin analysisStough: Where does the name Stough come from?
The last name Stough originated in England before being brought to various parts of the world. It is a relatively uncommon name today, but it can be found in some areas of the United States, particularly the Midwest.
In the United States, Stough can be traced primarily to Ohio. In fact, Ohio is one of the states with the most people with the last name Stough. Stough is especially prevalent in the Midwestern states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
Stough is also common in areas of England. The last name Stough was first found in Cambridgeshire, East Anglia. The earliest records show that it was used during the reign of King Richard I, who reigned from 1189-1199.
Stough has also been found in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales. It is estimated that there are more than 100 people with the last name living in Australia today.
Finally, Stough can be found in India, where it is considered a Hindu last name. The exact origins of Stough in India are unknown, but it is thought that it may have been introduced to India by British immigrants.
No matter where the last name Stough originated, it remains a fairly uncommon name today. However, it can still be found in the United States, England, Australia, and India.
Variations of the surname Stough
The surname Stough is an English toponymic surname, meaning "from Stough". This could refer to the many places called Stough or Stow in England, such as Stoughton in Dorset, Stow in Oxfordshire, Stow-in-Wood in Gloucestershire, Styvechale in Warwickshire or Stowe in Cambridgeshire.
Variants of the surname include Stough, Stow, Stowes, Stowse, Stouffe, Stoof, Stouff, and Stoufe. Spellings of the surname vary widely, ranging from Stough, Stowgh, Stowghe, Stouge, Stowgh, Stogh, Stoogh, Stowght, Sturi to Stoght, Stoght, and Stoghte.
Surnames of the same origin include Stow, Stowe, Stoweck, and Stowik.
The surname was borne by several men of political prominence in Britain, including Laurence Stow of Canterbury, Sir John Stow of Oxford, and John and William Stow of Richmondshire. In the US, the surname is found in several states and is represented in several branches of the military, including Tristram Stow, a soldier from 1645-1690, and Captain John Stow, a Revolutionary War veteran from Massachusetts.
The Stough/Stow surname is often found in records written in Latin in the Middle Ages, as Stolius or Stolys. Surnames related to Stough or Stow, such as Stowle, Stonsel, Stowey, Stuyvesant, and Stovel, are also often found in the records.
Famous people with the name Stough
- John Stough: American film producer and director
- Robert J. Stough: American orthodontist and academic
- Jack Stough: American professional basketball player
- Charles Stough: American government official
- Brad Stough: American television producer and writer
- Patrick Stough: American football player
- M.R. Stough: American social scientist
- Sammy Stough: American baseball player
- Eric Stough: American animation director and producer
- Jonathan Stough: American musician and record producer