English
The name 'Stuart' originates from England. It is a variant of the name 'Stewart' of Scottish origin, derived from the occupational name for an administrative official, from the Middle English word 'stiward', and Old English word 'stigweard', 'stiweard', (a compound of 'stig' meaning household) and 'weard' meaning 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. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive's has confirmed that the surname 'Stewart' is the surname of the Royal Family of Scotland from the fourteenth Century, and of the English Royal Family from 1603, when James VI of Scotland acceded to the English throne as James I. They remained the royal family up until the death of Queen Anne in 1714. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definitely determined but Information extracted from Public and Civil registry archive's confirm that one of the first settlers was a certain 'James Stuart', of Ballydougherty, County Armagh, Ireland. He emigrated to North America in 1813, and settled in Philadelphia, from whence, after a short time, he moved to New York City. Today, 'Stuart' is the 'Seven hundred and forty-second' most common surname in North America.