Explore the Family Name Steptoe
The meaning of Steptoe
English: apparently from Middle English stepe ‘steep, high, large, protruding’, also (with reference to a moving object) ‘strong, vigorous’ + Middle English to ‘toe’ (in names often referring to the whole foot). It may have been a nickname given to someone with big feet or perhaps a deformed foot or toe. Alternatively, if stepe refers to the action of the foot, it may have been a nickname for an accomplished dancer or for a haughty person; compare Proudfoot.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Steptoe in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Steptoe has seen a slight decline in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked as the 19,470th most popular surname, but by 2010, it had dropped slightly to the 19,697th spot, signifying a 1.17% decrease. Despite this slight fall in ranking, the actual count of individuals with the Steptoe surname increased from 1,284 in 2000 to 1,368 in 2010, marking a 6.54% rise. However, when compared to the overall population (per 100k), there's a 4.17% drop, moving from 0.48 in 2000 to 0.46 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #19,470 | #19,697 | -1.17% |
| Count | 1,284 | 1,368 | 6.54% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.48 | 0.46 | -4.17% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Steptoe
When it comes to ethnic identity, the census data reveals some interesting shifts within the Steptoe populace. From 2000 to 2010, there were no changes identified in those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native. However, there was an increase in the percentage of individuals identifying with two or more races, from 3.35% to 3.65%, and also an uptick in those identifying as Black, from 60.67% to 61.55%. The number of individuals identifying as White decreased from 34.03% to 31.43%, while the Hispanic component saw a notable leap from 1.32% to 2.78% over the same period, based on the Decennial U.S. Census.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 60.67% | 61.55% | 1.45% |
| White | 34.03% | 31.43% | -7.64% |
| Two or More Races | 3.35% | 3.65% | 8.96% |
| Hispanic | 1.32% | 2.78% | 110.61% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |