Surname Augst - Meaning and Origin

Augst: What does the surname Augst mean?

The last name Augst is a German surname, originating from the Middle High German word “ugest” meaning "riverbank" or "shore". It is believed to be a nickname for someone who lived near a river or shore, as well as a surname which referred to a place of origin near a body of water. During Europe’s Medieval period, surnames were used to distinguish one family from another, usually derived from geographical locations, occupations, or characteristics.

The name Augst is shared by both German and Swiss citizens, but it is most commonly found among those of Swiss descent. Records indicate that the name can be traced back to at least the early 1700s in Switzerland, particularly in the canton of Zurich. It is also possible that the surname started off as a place name. In German, the word ‘aug’ was used to describe a watery place and if it had the ending ‘-st’ or ‘-est’, it likely was referring to a family who lived by water.

Today, the name Augst may still be found in Switzerland and Germany, as well as in other countries which were settled by German-speaking immigrants. Variations of the name are ‘August’, ‘Augstein’, ‘Augustin’, ‘Augsberger’ and ‘Augsburg’. However, it is still commonly associated with someone of Swiss descent and is a reminder of their ancestral local connection to a once-thriving Swiss settlement.

Augst: Where does the name Augst come from?

The surname Augst can be found in many countries around the world today, though its most common locations are likely in Germany, the United States, and France.

In Germany, the surname Augst is quite prevalent and can be found in all its major cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, and Cologne. Its origins, however, are most likely found in the small town of Augst, located in the southwest of the country in the province of Rhineland-Palatinate.

In the United States, Augst is relatively common throughout the country, though its greatest concentration is likely in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and California. Pennsylvania in particular has seen significant growth in the number of citizens with this surname over the last few decades.

Finally, in France, Augst is much less common than in Germany or the United States, though it is known to be more concentrated in the cities of Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux.

Overall, the surname Augst can be found in many places around the world, though it is most commonly known in Germany, the United States, and France.

Variations of the surname Augst

Augst is an uncommon surname first found in the Rhineland, where records date back to the 12th century. The surname Augst has numerous spelling variant and other surnames of similar origin.

Variations:

Aouste, Autst, Agast, Augast, August, Augste, Aoust, Aouste, Aulkst, Owst, Aukst, Awst, Awste.

These variations are found throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Additionally, there are Castillian variants such as Agusto, Agusta, Agustin and Aguste, in addition to some French versions, Aoust and Auzet.

Surnames of a similar origin are also found across the globe, including names such as Auguste, Oggst, Augsty, Agasti, CANAUGST, and Augustine.

A notable figure of this surname is Rudolph Augst (born 1776), an American missionary from New Jersey who founded a missionary ministry statement in New York. He spent the remainder of his life in service to the Lord at his foreign mission, the New York Bay Missionary Society.

The surname Augst is a rare but important family name across the world, and its multiple variants and similar surnames attest to the long and interesting histories associated with it.

Famous people with the name Augst

• Steve Augst: An American freestyle skier who competed in the 1982 Winter Olympics.
• Shelley Augst: An American swimmer who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
• Ragnar Augst: An Estonian cross country skier who competed in the 1924 and 1928 Winter Olympics.
• Konrad Augst: A German figure skater who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics.
• Max Augst: A German gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
• Gunter Augst: A German track and field athlete who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• Thür Augst: A German wrestler who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.
• Mario Augst: An Austrian cross country skier who competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics.
• Heinz Augst: An Austrian Nordic skier who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
• Leopold Augst: An Austrian Dutch photographer.
• Diane Augst: An American novelist and short-story writer.
• Finnish Augst: An American college soccer coach from 1979 to 1987.
• Stephan Augst: An American entrepreneur and businessman.
• Paul Augst: An American sculptor, whose works are exhibited at the Kohler Arts Center in Wisconsin.
• Daniel Augst: An American footballer who played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2007.

Other surnames

AugsteinAugstenAugstienAugstin