Surname Szczepan - Meaning and Origin

Szczepan: What does the surname Szczepan mean?

The last name Szczepan is a Slavic name originating from the Polish language, with the literal meaning of “Stephen”. The Polish version of the name is derived from the old Polish word “szczep”, meaning "branch". This is likely referencing the idea of an individual being a “branch” of a larger family tree.

In Poland, Szczepan is still a common last name today, and is most often used in eastern Poland. In other countries, the spelling may be changed to a more English-friendly version spelled "Stephan".

The name has become associated with several notable people, most notably Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen symbolizes faith and perseverance, and many Polish families have named a son after him in recognition of that meaning. Stephen was also recognized in his own lifetime for his courage in the face of persecution, standing up for his faith with a willingness to die for it if necessary.

Szczepan is also a popular first name in Poland. In addition to its association with forum bron, the name has also been used in literature, often signifying a strong, independent character. Szczepan is also sometimes used by Polish immigrants who have moved to other countries, as a way to keep close to their Polish heritage and roots.

Thus, the Polish last name Szczepan has been passed down through generations as a symbol of hope, faith, strength, and perseverance. For many Polish families, this name and its associated meanings still resonate today.

Szczepan: Where does the name Szczepan come from?

The surname Szczepan is most commonly found today in Poland, where it has long been established. It is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, when the phrase szczepan meant "army leader" or "scout" in Old Polish. This was likely a reference to someone who was a leader amongst their peers. The name spread as people moved away from their ancestral home or traveled to new parts of the world, becoming Szczepanik in some cases.

In more recent times, Szczepan has become associated with both the Polish and Czech languages, both being Slavic languages. The majority of those with the surname trace their ancestry to either Poland or the Czech Republic. It is most often found in Poland, however, where it ranks as the country's 78th most common surname. Variations of the name such as Szczepaniak, Szczepanek, and Szczepnik can all be found in Poland as well.

Outside of these two countries, the surname is less common. In the United States, it ranks as the 15,750th most common name, making it fairly rare. It can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Hungary and Slovakia, although it is still far less common than in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Overall, the surname Szczepan is most common today in Poland and the Czech Republic, where it has been part of the culture for centuries. Its prevalence outside these regions is significantly lower, particularly in the United States.

Variations of the surname Szczepan

Szczepan is a surname of Polish origin, derived from a personal name Szczepan, meaning “garlanded” or “flower”.

The variants of Szczepan are Stepan, Stephan, Stefan, Stephon and Steffen. The surnames of the same origin, include Stepanski, Stepansky, Steponovich, Steponiewicz, Stepanek and Szczepankiewicz. There are various spellings for this surname, such as Shepon, Shtephan, Schepan,Shchepan,Steppan,Stephanov, Shepa, Sheponov, Shtephanov, Shchepanov,Steppanov, Sheponenko, Shtephanenko, Shchepanenko and Steppanenko.

The feminine version of Szczepan, is Szczepana. The variants of this spelling include Stepana, Stephana, Stefanee, Stefanie, Stephonie, Steffanie andStepona. The feminine surnames of the same origin, include Stepanska, Stepansky, Steponovich, Steponiewicz, Stepankiewicz, Szczepanek and Szczepankiewicz.

The term Szczepankiewicz is derived from two Polish words – szczep meaning “division” and kiewicz and “son of”. It is commonly used by individuals whose father’s name was Szczepan. It is assumed to be a reference to one’s paternal lineage and is an occupational surname, meaning those who were divided, such as a family member, a soldier, a worker or a specific branch in an army.

Ultimately, the many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Szczepan provide a wide range of possible roots and meanings behind this popular Polish surname.

Famous people with the name Szczepan

• Zbigniew Szczepan Szpakowski: film, theatre, and television actor who has appeared in dozens of Polish films.
• Martin Szczepan-Gill: Lutheran clergyman, theologian and lecturer at the University of Dorpat in Estonia.
• Jan Szczepanik: inventor and pioneer of the modern cinema industry, he patented the first color photography process in 1902.
• Barbara Szczepanek: a Polish poet, novelist, playwright and translator, best known for her works written between 1970s and 1990s.
• Jerzy Szczepan Szczygiel: a painter. Involved in the ZPAP ("Union of Polish Visual Artists") organization, he is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków.
• Michał Szczepanik: a professional footballer who is currently a free agent. He last played for Polish team Cracovia.
• Marian Szczepanik: a Polish sculptor known for his works such as A Circus Logistics a sculptural installation placed at Chopin Airport in Warsaw and a sculpture of Pope John Paul II placed in Kazimierz Dolny.
• Stanisław Szczepanik: a Polish geophysicist, a professor at the University of Warsaw, best known for his research on seismology and geophysics.
• Irina Szczepanik: a Russian theater actress and singer. She is well known for her roles in classical and modern Russian drama, as well as television, radio and film productions.
• Roman Szczepanik: a ret. Lieutenant General of the Polish Army, and the founder of the Special Forces Support Group.

Other surnames

SzczepainskySzczepanczykSzczepanekSzczepaniakSzczepanskaSzczepanskiSzczeponek