Surname Doster - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Doster: What does the surname Doster mean?
The last name Doster is derived from the German word “Dost,” which means guest. It is likely that the name is a locational surname, meaning that it originally referred to families and individuals who were living in a certain area of Germany, likely near the place where the Doster family historically resided.
The name first came into existence in the 13th century, when Germans began using last names to distinguish themselves. Like similar-sounding names, such as Dozier, Doster likely began as a nickname for someone that was welcoming or hospitable- a “guest” - to their village. Over time, the name was adopted by more and more families as word spread of its origin.
Today, there are many individuals with the last name Doster living throughout Europe and America. The surname is highly unusual in the sense that while it’s still used today, many of the families who originally bore the name have moved on or assimilated into other cultures.
Overall, the surname Doster is a testament to the importance of hospitality in German culture. Its bearer are historically part of an important tradition, in which a warm welcome to newcomers is highly valued. While the name may be uncommon, the values it represents are timeless and well worth cherishing.
Order DNA origin analysisDoster: Where does the name Doster come from?
The last name Doster is most commonly found in the United States, primarily in the Southeast. According to the 2000 US Census, the last name Doster was most prevalent in South Carolina, with an estimated 2,962 people having the name. Other states with substantial Doster populations include Texas (2,391), Georgia (1,616), Alabama (1,555), and North Carolina (1,291).
The surname Doster is of German origin, derived from a medieval given name, "Thrutz", similar to the English name Throckmorton. It is found in many records in Germany, particularly in the areas of Bavaria, Hamburg, and Saxony.
Overseas, Doster is a relatively rare name. In the United Kingdom, the Office for National Statistics' 2011 census found only 131 people with the name — fewer than might be found in a single US state. Similarly, Doster is virtually extinguished in continental Europe; the name is absent from open-source French census records, and the Netherlands only identifies a single Norman named Doster in its most recent population studies.
Outside the traditional German homeland, Doster is most probably an Americanized name, possibly descended from immigrants who crossed the Atlantic in the 1880s through 1910s. The name continues to be a rare but significant fixture of the US population today.
Variations of the surname Doster
The surname Doster has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Duster, Dozer, Doster, and Doester.
The most common variant of the surname Doster is Duster. This form of the surname is most frequently seen in Belgium, France, Germany, and Holland. This spelling may have arisen as a simplified phonetic spelling of the original name.
The variant spelling Dozer, which is also sometimes found in Germany, is believed to have arisen as a variation of the surname Doster, possibly an alternative spelling from a dialectal pronunciation of the original name.
The spelling Doster is the primary spelling of the surname and is most common in the United States and Germany. It is believed to be a corruption of the original surname or another variant of the same name.
The surname Doester is a variantseen in Germany. It is believed to be an alternate spelling of another variant, such as Doster or Duster.
Overall, Doster is a variant of many surnames of Germanic origin that arose as a simplified phonetic spelling of the original name or as a variation of one of its variants. Variants of this surname also include Duster, Dozer, and Doester. All four of these variants are commonly found in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
Famous people with the name Doster
- Cass Doster: American musician, founder of the Florida-based pop punk band Fake Problems and the Miami-based band Yip Yip.
- Amy Doster: American actress and singer.
- George Doster: American politician and the mayor of Tuscaloosa, Alabama from 1999 to 2013.
- Kenneth Doster: American politician and member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1995 to 2016.
- Ahmad Doster: American boxing coach and former professional boxer.
- Scott Doster: American television producer.
- John Doster: American screenwriter and producer whose credits include films such as Firewall and Because of Winn-Dixie.
- R.A. Doster: American writer and editor of science fiction, fantasy, and other genres.
- Philip Doster: American actor whose television roles include appearances in The West Wing and Joan of Arcadia.
- Autumn Doster: American Abstract Artist who has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and the Huffington Post.
- Nicole Doster: American fashion designer whose designs have been featured in magazines such as Marie Claire and Glamour.
- Mel Doster: American professional football player who played for the New Orleans Saints in the 1980s.
- Cara Doster: American film and video editor whose credits include television shows such as The Voice and Supernatural.
- Robert Doster: American lawyer and politician who served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1985 to 1993.