Surname Bastgen - Meaning and Origin

Bastgen: What does the surname Bastgen mean?

The last name Bastgen is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German "bastagana." It most likely originated in areas of Germany during the Middle Ages where the surname appeared in records dating as far back as the 12th century. The meaning of the surname "Bastgen" is unclear and has long been debated among experts who conjecture that the word may have originally meant "one who sleeps in the cottage" or "refuge – as in a sheltered shelter".

It is highly possible that Bastgen is derived from the Middle Low German word "basten" which means "to bind". The surname presumable derived from the occupation of a Bastger, a craftsman and professional in Medieval Germany whose job was to bind footwear and farm tools. The name was likely adopted by individuals associated with the profession.

The Bastgen surname has since spread to many countries worldwide, but is best represented throughout Germany and Belarus. Today, individuals with the surname Bastgen are often referred to as Bastgener, and there are even a few families who bear the surname today. Despite its long history, the precise meaning of the word remains unclear, yet it no doubt has its roots in Medieval Germany.

Bastgen: Where does the name Bastgen come from?

The last name Bastgen is common in present-day Germany, as well as in a number of central European countries including Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. It is also present in other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, along with other, more uncommon countries such as Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The name is an occasional presence in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Historically, the Bastgen family was likely of Frankish or Germanic origin, and it is derived from the personal name Basten or Bastian. This name probably originally meant something like “the brave one.” Although it is not a particularly common name today, it was relatively more widespread before modern technology and the major population movements of the 20th century began to take hold.

In Germany, the last name Bastgen is relatively widespread. While in the late 19th century, it was limited mainly to the Rhineland region, today it is observed much more widely across the country. Its frequency is especially noticeable in the major cities, like Berlin and Frankfurt, which have large concentrations of people with Germanic heritage.

Although the Bastgen surname may not be as common in other parts of the world, it is a reminder of the importance of the Germanic influences on Central Europe. Its presence in other countries is a reflection of the many cultural exchanges that have occurred over hundreds of years. Its legacy in today’s world is an example of the enduring power of the human experience and the language of surnames.

Variations of the surname Bastgen

The surname Bastgen is a German last name of many variants and spellings, including Bastian, Bastin, Bestgen, Bästgen, Bastgens, Bästgens and Bästgäns. The surname Bastgen is derived from the Middle High German name Bastian or Bastien, which was a personal name derived from Latin Sebastian.

This surname was originally borne by several families in Germany before the 16th century, so it is a very old surname. The variants of Bastgen are equally as old; the Bavarian names Bästgen and Bästgens were recorded in Munich in the mid-1500s, while the variant Bastgens was recorded in the Rhineland in 1699.

The different spellings can be confusing. For example, one branch of the Bastgen family spelling the surname Bastgen, while another branch spelling it Bastiangen. However, the surname is still easily recognized as being of the same origin. The spelling variants of the surname are diverse, but the pronunciation remains the same - 'Bast-gen'.

Regardless of the spelling variant, all Bastgen variants have the same origins and are easily recognizable as all different spellings of the same surname. Though some spellings may have changed over time, all spellings of the Bastgen surname are linked through a shared surname history.

Famous people with the name Bastgen

• Marcel Bastgen: German football manager, currently working as the Assistant Coach of Holstein Kiel.
• Lukas Bastgen: German footballer who plays for Dynamo Dresden.
• Steffen Bastgen: German actor best known as the voice of Bumblebee in the Transformer movies.
• Sandra Bastgen: German model who has appeared in magazines such as Vogue and Elle during her modeling career.
• Kirill Bastgen: German singer best known for his participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017.
• Isabel Bastgen: German drafted player who made her professional debut for Bayer Leverkusen in the 2019-2020 season.
• Paul Bastgen: German professional snowboarder and six-time world champion.
• Marika Bastgen: German sprinter who won the silver medal in the 200m at the 2018 European Athletics Championships in Berlin.
• Maximilian Bastgen: German musician and producer who has worked with artists such as Nena, Juli, and Tomcraft.
• Lisi Bastgen: German television host, actress, and comedian known for her appearances on comedy shows such as Switch Reloaded and Ladies Night.

Other surnames

Bastges