What's the history behind the name Stewart?

Question

The real spelling of my last name is Stuart, but I think it was originally spelled the other way and some how got change somewhere down the line.

Answer 1

STEWART, Stuart or Steuart, the surname of a family which inherited the Scottish and ultimately the English crown. Their descent is traced to a Breton immigrant, Alan the son of Flaald, which Flaald was a brother of Alan, steward (or seneschal) of Dol in Brittany.

this is what I found at an online encyclopedia site.

Answer 2

The Stewart Register and Genealogy Area  

The Stewart name was passed, like all surnames, through the male line from the time of Walter the third High Steward of Scotland, who adopted the Stewart name, the 't' probably reflecting the Scot's dialect.

Not all Stewarts are from this line since, as with many surnames, those who were stewards in later centuries also took up the name, as also did a number of tinker families.

The Stewarts became a very broad section of the nobility of Scotland due to the patronage of the Stewart Kings, who came after David II. Hence the story of prominent Stewarts involves the history of the nation, a large body of heraldry and a basis for those with the Stewart name to link their own family history to.

http://www.stewartsociety.org/lines.htm

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Stewart - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Stewart Name -

Spelling variations: Estuardo, Sdiuord, Steuard, Steuarde, Steuart, Stevarde, Stevarte, Steward, Stewart, Stewerd, Stigeweard,Stiuard, Stiubhard, Stiubhart, Stiward, Stuard, Stuarde, Stuart, Stuarte, Stueart, Stuerd, Stuward, Styward, Stywarde

Lauren Boyd - Chair, Genealogical Committee

Genealogist, Clan Stewart Society in America, Inc

http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?m...

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The History of the Stewarts is the History of Scotland

The Stewarts and their adherents are intertwined in every aspect of Scottish history. Known as "The Protectors" even among living Scots, evidence of the ubiquity of our lineage.

For about 250 years after Walter became High Stewart, the Stewarts multiplied and developed alliances for common prosperity and defense. David II, son of the great Robert Bruce, died without direct heir in 1371. Robert, then his High Stewart (and son of Bruce's daughter), become Robert II. With Robert II began the line of monarchs who reigned in Scotland and England for nearly 350 years. Queen Elizabeth II is of Stewart relationship, but contrary to many family legends there are no surviving heirs to Mary Queen of Scots or other historical Scottish monarchs.

At least eight variations of the name are known. One common spelling, Stuart is incorrectly assumed to be "royal." More prosaically, it simply echoes the fact that many of our ancestors joined the French against the common enemy, England, during the Auld Alliance and adopted the French spelling. There is now "w" in the French or Gaelic alphabet.

At one time or another, Stewarts have held dukedoms, at least 17 earldoms, scores of other noble positions, and have be identified with more than 160 Scottish localities. Among the major branches which developed across the expanse of Scotland were STUART OF BUTE, and the STEWARTS OF GALLOWAY, and ATHOLL. Many families and towns affiliated with the Stewarts for fame, fortune or protection

http://www.clansstewart.org/history.html

Answer 3

Stewart :

First name origins & meanings:

Teutonic: Keeper of the estate

English: Careful; watchful

First name variations: Stuart, Steward, Stew, Stu, Stu, Stuart

Last name origins & meanings:

Scottish: originally an occupational name for an administrative official of an estate, from Middle English stiward, Old English stigweard, stīweard, a compound of stig ‘house(hold)’ + weard ‘guardian’. In Old English times this title was used of an officer controlling the domestic affairs of a household, especially of the royal household; after the Conquest it was also used more widely as the native equivalent of Seneschal for the steward of a manor or manager of an estate.

Stuart or Stewart is the surname of one of the great families of Scotland, the royal family of Scotland from the 14th century, and of England from 1603, when James VI of Scotland acceded to the English throne as James I. There were many minor branches of the family left in Britain after the flight of James II in 1688, but not every bearer of the surname can claim relationship with the royal house, even in Scotland. Every great house in medieval England and Scotland had its steward, and in many cases the office gave rise to a hereditary surname. The fall of the house of Stuart in Britain, conversely, led to the establishment of several highly placed branches bearing this surname in continental Europe, which are in most cases related to the old Scottish royal family.

Stuart :

Last name origins & meanings:

Scottish: variant of Stewart.

Stuart or Stewart is the surname of one of the great families of Scotland.

The spelling Stuart originated with some Stewarts living in France where the alphabet has no `w'. Adopted there also by Mary Queen of Scots, it became fashionable when she continued using it on her return. Steuart was a compromise between the two forms.

[From "Scots Kith & Kin"]

More Stewart history here

http://www.clanstewart.org/History/ClanH...

Teebone 3.

That is a fictional origin, ......traditional descent from Banquo, Thane of Lochaber, a character in William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth.

Answer 4

Walter, the son of Fleance, and grand-son of Banquo, was created, by Malcom III. Lord High Steward of Scotland, from which office his family afterward took and retained the name of Stewart, and from them descended the royal family of Stuart.

Answer 5

UK answer.

This is what I found for  you in relation to your name, I have the name *Stewart* in my family.

Surname: Stewart

This famous clan surname is regarded as the royal name of Scotland. It is however arguably of Olde English pre 7th century origins as it derives from the ancient word "stigweard", the later steward, a compound of "stig" meaning household, and "weard", a guardian. As such it was the status and title used by an officer who controlled the domestic affairs of a royal or noble household. In Scotland after the 12th century it took on a meaning of even greater importance, and described the Steward of Scotland, the highest post in the kingdom, below that of the monarch. The Scottish royal family surname of Stuart or Stewart, the spellings have and continue to vary over the centuries, originated from their holding the hereditary office of High Steward over several centuries from about 1157. In so far that the royal family of Stewart family originally had a surname it was the French "Dapifer", the family of that name having come from Brittany, in Northern France after the conquest of England in 1066. King Robert 11nd, 1371 - 1392, was the first "Steward" to hold the crown of Scotland. The earliest recordings of the surname include Nicholas Staward of Somerset in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, and William le Fiz Stywarde of Berwick in 1296. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Rogere se Stiwerd. This was dated circa 1100, in the "Old English Byname Register". Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surname: Stuart

Recorded in the spellings of Stewart, Steuart, and Stuart, this famous royal Scottish surname is perhaps surprisingly, of pre 7th century Olde English origins. In ancient times it was widely used (in both England and Scotland) as an occupational name for a senior official. Derived from the word "stigweard", a compound of "stig" meaning house(hold), plus "weard", a guardian, it was the title used by an officer who controlled the domestic affairs of a royal or noble household. In Scotland after the 12th century it took on a meaning of even greater importance. The Scottish royal family surname of "Stuart or Stewart", the spellings have varied over the centuries, originated from holding the hereditary office of High Steward of Scotland over several centuries from about 1157. In so far that the family originally had a surname it was the French 'Dapifer', the family having come from Brittany! King Robert 11nd (1371 - 1392) was the first "Steward" to hold the crown of Scotland. The earliest recordings of the surname include Nicholas Staward of Somerset in 1273, and William le Fiz Stywarde of Berwick in 1296. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Rogere se Stiwerd. This was dated circa 1100, in the "Old English Byname Register". Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Hope this helps.