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Steptoe Family History

Steptoe Surname Meaning

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.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

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Where is the Steptoe family from?

You can see how Steptoe families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Steptoe family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Steptoe families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 129 Steptoe families living in London. This was about 21% of all the recorded Steptoe's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Steptoe families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Steptoe surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Steptoe ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Steptoe. 20% of Steptoe men worked as a General Labourer and 78% of Steptoe women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Steptoe were Gardener and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Steptoe | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    20%
  • Bricklayer
    18%
  • Railway Signalman
    9%
  • Gardener
    9%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    78%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    5%
  • Domestic Duties
    4%
  • Housekeeper
    3%

What Steptoe family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 18,000 census records available for the last name Steptoe. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Steptoe census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Steptoe

Passenger Lists

There are 524 immigration records available for the last name Steptoe. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Steptoe immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Steptoe. For the veterans among your Steptoe ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Steptoe military records

You've only scratched the surface of Steptoe family history

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What is the average Steptoe lifespan?

Between 1941 and 2004, in the United States, Steptoe life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1970, and highest in 1987. The average life expectancy for Steptoe in 1941 was 53, and 69 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Steptoe

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Steptoe ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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