Explore the Family Name Steeples

The meaning of Steeples

English (Derbyshire): variant of Steeple, with post-medieval excrescent -s. Steeple may either be a habitational name from Steeple Grange in Wirksworth (Derbyshire), from Old English stēap ‘steep’ + hyll ‘hill’, or else arise from Middle English stepel, steple ‘steep place; tower, steeple’ (Old English stȳpel, stīepel, stēpel), used as a topographic name for someone who lived at a steep place or by a tower, or a habitational name for someone who came from a place so named, such as Steeple (Dorset), Steeple Court in Botley (Hampshire), Steephill in Ventnor (Isle of Wight), and Steeple (Essex).

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Steeples in the United States?

Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Steeples has seen a slight increase in the United States between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 64,186th most common name, but by 2010, it had improved to the 60,045th spot, representing a change of 6.45%. The count of individuals bearing this surname also grew from 290 in 2000 to 336 in 2010, marking a 15.86% rise. However, the proportion per 100,000 people remained constant at 0.11 in both years.

20002010Change
Rank#64,186#60,0456.45%
Count29033615.86%
Proportion per 100k0.110.110%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Steeples

In terms of ethnicity associated with the surname Steeples, there were notable shifts recorded between 2000 and 2010 according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. The percentage of individuals identifying as white decreased from 71.72% to 63.69%, showing an 11.20% drop. Conversely, the percentage of those identifying as black increased from 24.83% to 29.17%, a change of 17.48%. By 2010, 3.87% of people with the name identified as Hispanic, which was not noted in the 2000 census. The representation of those with dual ethnicities also saw growth from 2.07% in 2000 to 2.98% in 2010, a 43.96% increase. There were no figures available for Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native identities during these periods.

20002010Change
White71.72%63.69%-11.2%
Black24.83%29.17%17.48%
Hispanic0%3.87%0%
Two or More Races2.07%2.98%43.96%
Asian/Pacific Islander0%0%0%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0%0%0%