Sterling Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Sterling last name means, where the surname began and how it spread.
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Meaning and origin of the Sterling last name
Meaning of the Sterling last name: from Stirling. Sterling is a Scottish surname, usually a spelling of Stirling, from the town and castle of Stirling. In England it can also be a nickname from the starling bird. The last name went to Ulster and America with Scots settlers. Curiously, Stirling Castle was a favourite home of the Stewart kings.
Arms associated with the Sterling name
In Scottish heraldry, coats of arms associated with the Sterling name are personal, each with its own blazon.
Get your full Sterling family history
This is only a glimpse of the Sterling story. The full Sterling history report goes much deeper into where the name began, who carried it and how the family spread, and it comes with a museum-style painted Sterling coat of arms. Get the full Sterling report.
Sterling name FAQ
What does the Sterling name mean?
From Stirling. Common variants include Stirling, Starling.
Where does the Sterling surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in England, the United States and Canada.
Is there a Sterling coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals rather than to everyone with a surname. Herald Lab paints a personalized Sterling coat of arms in museum style, based on historic heraldry.
Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).