Stilwell
An English habitational surname meaning someone who lived by a steady, unbroken spring or well.
The #5,655 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 50,301 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is generally explained as a habitation name from Old English elements meaning “still” or “constant” plus w(i)ella, “spring, well.” The sense is a spring that flows steadily rather than intermittently. Older sources also treat it as a place-name style formation, and the related form Stillwell is the usual fuller spelling.
History
The name is documented in English surname reference works as an established English family name. It appears in varying spellings such as Stilwell and Stillwell, reflecting the ordinary fluidity of medieval and early modern spelling. In later periods it spread to North America along with English migration.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
A steady-water source was a useful landmark in the countryside, so springs and wells often generated English surnames.
From the historical record
“STILLWELL1 (Eng.) Dweller at the CoN- STILWELL Jstant Spring (one not in- termittent) [O.E. stille, constant, etc. -f w(i)ella, a spring] ItImSOn'^}^"'^ Stinson, Steenson, q.v. STINSON, V. Steenson. STIRK "[(Eng.) a nickname (or sign-name) STIRKE J from the Bullock or Heifer [O.E. styric\”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)