Surname Geest - Meaning and Origin
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Geest: What does the surname Geest mean?
The last name Geest is of German origin and derived from the word 'Gest' (meaning 'stranger' or 'guest'). It is thought that the name originated as a nickname for someone who was a foreigner, newcomer, or guest in an area. Geest can also be spelled Geist or Ghast.
Originally, the Geest name would have referred to a person who was not from the locale or native to the area, but had travelled there from elsewhere or been granted a right of settlement. Throughout its early history, the Geest last name would have been used to denote someone who was either a guest in a region or perhaps a foreigner who had been allowed to reside there.
Geest is a common surname found recorded in Germany, the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, especially in areas that have a long history of settlers and immigrants. The name is still used as a reference to a 'stranger' in German culture today, but it more often refers to a visitor who is welcomed as a guest.
Order DNA origin analysisGeest: Where does the name Geest come from?
The last name Geest is most commonly found in parts of Europe, with a particularly high prevalence in the Netherlands. Geest is a top 100 last name in the Netherlands, with nearly 8,500 Dutch nationals possessing the surname. In Germany, there are just over 13,000 individuals that are listed with the last name, making it a considerably less common last name.
The etymology of the name is traced back to the Dutch word "Geest," meaning ghost. Other experts claim that the name could have derived from the word "Geestland," a kind of coastal marshland which was often found in the Netherlands. This would not be inconclusive as the frequency of Geest in the Netherlands is considerably higher than in other parts of the world.
The spelling of the name also varies among cultures; in Germany, the more commonly seen spelling is “Gest” while in the Netherlands it is spelled “Geest.” In discussing the name Geest, some claim that Geest is also a nickname for a lively and cheerful person.
Geest has spread within Europe and to other parts of the world through migration. There are some individuals in the United States, Middle East, and other parts of Europe carrying the name as well. In the United States, the name is not a top 100 surname, but is listed in the top 2000 when looking at the prevalence of Geest in the population. This indicates that the Geest surname is not uncommon, particularly in the Netherlands, but can still be found in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Geest
The surname Geest is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “geist”, which means “spirit”. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin all have this same meaning.
Some of the variants and spellings include Gast, Geast, Geist, Giest, Goest, Gieste, Gäst, Geaste, Gest, Geste, Geszte, Goeste, Geizt, and Geyst. These variants are predominantly found in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
In addition to Geest, other surnames of the same origin include Gast, Geest, Geesten, Giessen, Geessen, Geis, Gästantz, Geyst, Geestemeyer, Geiss, Geistler, Geistling, and Güst.
Geest is a relatively uncommon surname. As of 2020, it is estimated that there are fewer than 6,000 people who bear the name, most of whom are located mostly in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United States of America.
Famous people with the name Geest
- Bart Geest: Dutch TV presenter and actor
- Nicole van Geest: Dutch-born classical organist
- Brigitte Geest: Dutch graphic artist
- Mies Vermeer van Geest: Dutch politician
- Emile van Geest: Dutch field hockey gold medalist
- Julian Geest: Dutch-born singer and songwriter
- Wendy van Geest: Dutch former speed skater and cyclist
- Emile van Geest: Dutch swimming champion
- Diederik van Geest: Dutch comics author
- Vanessa van Geest: Dutch painter and sculptor