Stenger
A surname most likely tied to a pole, rod, or lever—probably describing someone who made or used such an implement.
The #7,247 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 67,104 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The excerpt points to a Germanic base word meaning a bar, pole, or lever, with the suffix -er indicating a person connected with it. In that reading, Stenger would mean something like “one who works with or uses a steng,” a term for a pole or rod-like implement. The surname may also have developed as a variant spelling related to similar German forms.
History
Stenger is found chiefly in German-speaking surname tradition and was later carried to North America through immigration. The spelling has several close variants, which is typical of surnames that were recorded phonetically across different languages and dialects. Because the excerpt is brief and somewhat noisy, the exact path from the base word to the surname should be treated as probable rather than certain.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In older surname dictionaries, a final -er often marked someone associated with a thing or trade, not just a place name.
From the historical record
“that uses a lever. Stengle, a slightly varied form. Stenger. Stengc, a bar, a pole ; ere, an agent. One who uses a steng. Stephen. Stefen, a voice, message, sound, tone. Stephan, from the same.”
— Family Names from the Irish, Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-Norman and Scotch