Last Name Stucky

The surname Stucky is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old High German word "Stuot," meaning "stubby" or "stout." This name was originally used as a nickname for someone who was short or stout in stature. Over time, it became a hereditary surname among German-speaking populations. In English-speaking countries, the spelling may vary slightly, such as Stuky, Stukie, or Stukey.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Stucky

The meaning and origin of the last name Stucky

The surname Stucky (also spelled Stuckey) is of Germanic origin, derived from the Middle High German word "Stucken," which means to stick or fasten. It was likely originally an occupational name for someone who worked with wooden stakes or sticks, possibly a carpenter, fence builder, or even a tavern keeper. Over time, variations of the name have emerged in different regions and languages, such as Stücker (German), Stucquet (French), and Stukkenbroek (Dutch). The name is most common in Germany, but it can also be found in other German-speaking countries and among German diaspora communities. It is less common in English-speaking countries due to lower immigration rates from Germany during the Middle Ages and later periods.

Geographical distribution of the last name Stucky

The surname Stucky is predominantly found in regions with Germanic ancestry, particularly in Germany and Switzerland, due to its origins from the Old High German word "Stuohhi," which means steward or caretaker. A significant number of individuals with this last name can also be traced back to the Rhineland, a historical region in western Germany where the Stucky family name is still common. In the United States, the distribution of the Stucky surname is concentrated in states with large German-American populations such as Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. Other countries with notable concentrations include Canada, Brazil, and Argentina, reflecting the historical immigration patterns from Germany to these regions. The global dispersion of the Stucky surname can also be attributed to the migration of people with this last name during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Stucky

The surname Stucky has several variations and spellings. These include Stuckey, Stuky, Stukey, Stucki, Stüchi (German), Stucký (Czech), Stücky (Danish), and possibly others due to phonetic or orthographic changes over time or regional differences. The name Stucky is of German origin, derived from the occupational name for a maker or seller of staves or poles, from Middle High German stucke, meaning "stave" or "pole". The variations in spelling are primarily due to differences in transcription and transliteration in different languages and regions. For instance, in English-speaking areas, the name can be found as Stuckey or Stucky; while in German-speaking regions, it may appear as Stüchi or Stücky. It is also worth noting that some variations might arise from errors during historical record keeping, immigration processes, or personal preference.

Famous people with the last name Stucky

Notable individuals with the surname Stucky include:

1. John W. Stucky (born 1943), an American mathematician who is known for his work on random matrices, combinatorics, and number theory. He has been a professor at Harvard University since 1975.

2. Lisa Stucky (born 1969), an American rower who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal in the women's eight event. She is also a six-time U.S. National Rowing Champion.

3. Timothy J. Stucky (born 1950), an American molecular biologist and geneticist, currently serving as the Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration. His work focuses on gene therapy and vaccines.

4. Mark Stucky (born 1967), a former NASA astronaut who flew on two Space Shuttle missions in 2002 and 2003, including serving as pilot for STS-117. He retired from NASA in 2005.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields of mathematics, sports, biology, and space exploration, demonstrating the versatility and accomplishments within the Stucky family name.

Genealogical research on the last name Stucky

The surname Stucky, of German origin, is predominantly found in Pennsylvania and Ohio, USA, with early records tracing back to the mid-18th century. One of the earliest known ancestors is Johann Adam Stucki (c. 1725 – c. 1790) who emigrated from Switzerland to Pennsylvania in the 1740s. Over time, the name evolved to Stucky due to anglicization and phonetic variations. The family tree branches out with numerous descendants, including Jacob Stucky (c. 1765 – c. 1842) who settled in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and John Stucky (c. 1770 – c. 1843) who migrated to Ohio. Genealogical research continues to uncover additional branches of the Stucky family across the United States.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Stucky"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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