Surname Gerstner - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling My Roots: The Fascinating Journey of my Surname ‘Gerstner’ Through My iGENEA DNA Test
The iGENEA DNA test has unearthed fascinating insights into my personal lineage, tracing the origin of my surname Gerstner back to its roots in Bavaria. The genetic markers have revealed a rich tapestry of Germanic, Celtic, and indigenous European heritages, taking me on an extraordinary journey through the corridors of time, connecting me to my distant ancestors and their cultures in unexpected ways.
E. Gerstner
read moreGerstner: What does the surname Gerstner mean?
The last name Gerstner is an occupational surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "gerstner", meaning "barley crusher". This indicates that the original bearer of the name likely held the occupation of a grain miller or miller's snare. It is also commonly a shortened form of the surname Kerstner, which is derived from another Middle High German word, "kerstere", meaning "sacristan".
The use of the name Gerstner was perpetuated by families that were engaged in milling and farming activities. This surname can be found in both Germany and other parts of Europe such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is also used in the United States today, likely as a result of immigrants who relocated to the country around the 19th century from regions across Europe.
The name Gerstner is most likely to have started being adopted as a hereditary surname during the 14th and 15th centuries when different societies across Europe began to adopt the hereditary or "family name" custom. It is thought to have initially been used in rural parts of Germany where the surname was associated with the profession of milling.
The name has endured centuries of change and is still used today by families who proudly trace their roots back to the original Gerstner millers. Each generation of the Gerstner family carries with them a proud and long-standing tradition of craftsmanship.
Order DNA origin analysisGerstner: Where does the name Gerstner come from?
The last name Gerstner is a German surname that is still common today in many parts of Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany. It can also be found in larger numbers in the United States due to German immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The root of the name comes from the German word ‘Gerst’, meaning barley, and the suffix ‘ner’, meaning dweller, so the literal meaning of the name is ‘dweller of the barley’. It is likely to have been an occupational name for a farmer who grew barley or a related activity such as a brewer.
Today, the Gerstner last name is especially common in Germany, as an estimated 1 in every 5500 people in the country bear the name. It’s also common in other German-speaking countries like Austria, where it appears as Gärstner or Gerstner, and Switzerland, where it is known as Gerster. Outside of German-speaking countries, the surname is particularly common in the United States, with around 25,000 American citizens bearing the name, mostly in more rural and Midwestern states.
Variations of the surname Gerstner
The surname Gerstner is one of the many German names that have spread around the world throughout history. It is derived from the Old German word "Gersten," meaning "barley," and was most likely an occupational name for someone who cultivated or sold barley. It may also have been adapted from the Middle High German word "gerste," meaning "bristly."
The surname can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Gerster, Garster, Gärster, Garstner, Gersten, Garsten, Gehrstner, Gurstner, Gerstenberger, Gerstenmayer, Gerstenmeir, Gerstenfeld, Gerstmann, and Gerstenberg.
In many cases, the original spelling of the surname has been changed due to immigration and assimilation. The Gerstner name is common in both the United States and Europe, and variations of it can be found around the world.
The most common variations of the surname in the United States are Gerstner and Gerster, while in Europe Garster is the most popular variant. The Gerstner form of the surname is especially common in the state of Pennsylvania, where it has been in use for centuries.
In the United Kingdom, the Garster variation is the most common, while in Australia it is spelled Gersten. In Canada, the most common spelling is Gersten, while in South Africa it is Gerstner.
No matter the spelling, all variations of the Gerstner surname are believed to share the same origin. It is most likely that those of Gerstner descent can trace their roots back to early German immigrants who migrated during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Famous people with the name Gerstner
- Kenneth D. Gerstner: American attorney and the 28th United States Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan.
- Charles Gerstner: American judge and politician who served in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1917 to 1923.
- Mike Gerstner: Professional golfer who played on the PGA and LPGA Tours from 1975 to 1986.
- Susan R Gerstner: Current associate professor of psychology at California State University, Northridge.
- Eduard Gerstner: German baron, surveyor, topographer, and artist who lived in the 19th century.
- Rolf Gerstner: German journalist, publisher and media entrepreneur.
- Hans Gerstner: German sculptor and carver of ornate wood-carvings in the 19th century.
- Robert Gerstner: American former NFL football player who played for the New York Giants from 1945 to 1946.
- Carl Gerstner: Award-winning American impressionist painter who specialized in landscapes.
- Matt Gerstner: Internationally touring country music singer and songwriter.