Show ContentsSeverin Surname History

Etymology of Severin

What does the name Severin mean?

The Severin surname is ultimately thought to be derived from the personal name Severinus, Bishop of Cologne (347-400), who was made a Saint.

Early Origins of the Severin family

The surname Severin was first found in the Rhineland, where their oldest roots are tied to Cologne where they have long been involved with the church.

Early History of the Severin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Severin research. The years 1735, 1791 and 1851 are included under the topic Early Severin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Severin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Frings, Fringer, Vrings, Seffrin, Seffring and many more.

Early Notables of the Severin family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Severin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Severin Ranking

In the United States, the name Severin is the 14,184th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Severin is ranked the 3,796th most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 2


Severin migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Severin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johann Severin, who landed in America in 1783 3
Severin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Severin, who settled in Philadelphia in 1834
  • Charles Severin, who arrived in Texas in 1866 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Severin (post 1700) +

  • Jay Severin (1951-2020), born James Thompson Severino III, an American political talk radio personality
  • Marie Severin (b. 1929), American comic book artist, inductee into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2001
  • John Severin (b. 1921), American comic book artist, inductee into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame in 2003
  • Arban Severin (b. 1976), American composer, musician and film actress, wife of Steven Severin
  • Tim Severin (1940-2020), British explorer, historian, and writer, awarded both the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society and the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
  • Steven Severin (b. 1955), British musician and composer, member of Siouxsie & the Banshees
  • Scott Severin (b. 1979), Scottish footballer
  • Mark Severin (1906-1987), British artist specialising bookplates
  • Giles Timothy "Tim" Severin (b. 1940), English historian, traveler and author
  • Gustav Severin Henriksen (1872-1939), Norwegian Shipping Executive


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook