Surname Cust - Meaning and Origin
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Cust: What does the surname Cust mean?
The last name Cust is of English origin and is considered to be a locational surname, meaning it is derived from a geographical location or feature. This suggests that the original bearers of the name were associated with a particular place. The place in question is believed to be Cusworth, a village and civil parish located in England’s South Yorkshire. Alternatively, Cust could also possibly originated from the village of Keyston, in county Huntingdonshire. Additionally, it is important to note that locational surnames were often given to the lord of the manor, or to individuals who migrated from their birthplace, as a means of identification. Therefore, the last name Cust implies a connection to these specific geographical areas in England.
Order DNA origin analysisCust: Where does the name Cust come from?
The surname Cust is thought to have originated from England during the early Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the medieval occupational name "Custance," which was used for a maker of cuishes (pieces of armor for the thighs). Over time, the name was shortened to Cust. Like many English surnames, Cust likely became more established as families started to permanently adopt hereditary surnames.
Today, the Cust surname is not very common. It can be found in small numbers around the world, primarily in English-speaking nations like the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Canada. In the UK, it is most prevalent in Lincolnshire. This surname has also made a significant mark in history, mainly in the UK where notable bearers were politicians and high-ranking officials, including Sir Edward Cust, a British soldier and politician who served in the 19th century under several British monarchs. Despite its rarity, the surname continues to be carried on by family lines today, contributing to the diverse mosaic of surnames in these countries.
Variations of the surname Cust
The surname Cust is of British origin and has various spelling alterations and associated surnames. Some of its variants include Custer, Custard, Custis, Cast, and Kust. In earlier centuries, when literacy was not common, names were often written phonetically, leading to multiple spellings for the same name. For instance, the surname Cust might also appear as Cuthe, Cuth, and Cud in historical records.
Certain surnames relate to Cust by origin. Brownlow, for example, is associated with the Cust family through the 19th-century British politician John Cust, who became the 1st Earl Brownlow.
The surname Cust could also be linked to a location, such as the town of Custo in Portugal, or a profession, such as "costermonger," an old term for a street vendor. Therefore, variations and related surnames could possibly emerge from these references.
In some cases, the surname Cust might be a shortened form or a variant of longer surnames, like Custance or Custerson. Furthermore, foreign equivalents such as the German Kuster or the Dutch Kusters could also have evolved into the English Cust over time and migration.
Famous people with the name Cust
- William Cust, British lawyer, Member of Parliament, and courtier
- Thomas Cust, British art historian
- Alfred Cust, 1st Baron Brownlow, British naval officer and Conservative Member of Parliament
- Aaron Cust, Australian professional basketball player
- Corina Cust, British actress
- William Augustus Cust, British entomologist
- John Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow, British career soldier and Member of Parliament
- John Cust, 2nd Earl Brownlow, British landowner and Tory Member of Parliament
- David Cust, British modernist poet
- Ryan Cust, Australian professional Ute driver and businessman