Surname Jester - Meaning and Origin

Jester: What does the surname Jester mean?

The last name Jester is of Anglo-Saxon origin and primarily found in England. Derived from the Old English term "ceaster," which means a Roman fort or town, it was used as a name for people who resided near these establishments. Alternatively, the surname Jester may have developed from the Middle English term "jester", a term used for an entertainer, joker, or clown, especially in medieval times. It could have been an occupational name given to someone who worked as a professional jester or fool in royal or noble households entertaining guests with jokes, tricks, and songs. According to genealogical data, the surname Jester also has roots in Germany where it is spelled as "Jester" or "Josten". The many spelling variations of the surname over the years include Jester, Jesters, Jest, Jests, and more. As such, it's essential to remember that last names evolved over centuries and may have different meanings and origins across various regions and cultures.

Jester: Where does the name Jester come from?

The last name Jester is of Norman origin. It was introduced to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name is likely derived from an occupational surname given to individuals who served as jesters, employed by a noble or royal court to entertain guests with storytelling, jokes, and physical comedy. A jester might also have been a travelling entertainer. Variations of the surname can include Gestour, Jestor, and Jester.

Today, the surname Jester is most common in the United States. According to Forebears, a site specializing in genealogical data, in 2014 there were approximately 5,789 individuals with the Jester surname in the United States, making it the country with the highest number of people bearing this name. However, it is still ranked as the 5620th most common surname in the country. It is less common in England and Wales with about 110 individuals bearing the name and quite rare in Scotland with only about 20 individuals recorded in 2014. Other countries where this surname may be found, though in low numbers, include Australia, Canada, and Germany.

Variations of the surname Jester

The surname Jester has English origins and is derived from the Middle English term ‘gestour’, which means a 'storyteller or minstrel'. The term was probably employed as a nickname or even an occupational name for someone who earned their living by narrating romance in verse. This surname has been subjected to various spellings over history, which have given rise to its several variants.

Some of the different spellings and variants of this surname over time are Jest, Jeste, Jeston, Jestin, Jestor, Jestur, Jesterre, Jestare, and Jesther. Each variant would have come up considering the geographical location, dialect, or even phonetics. The Old French words "Geistre" and "Jestre" have also been used interchangeably with Jester.

The surname Gester, although similar in spelling and pronunciation, is actually of German origins and is not believed to be a variant of Jester. Surnames similar in meaning but of non-English origins can also be considered variants. For example, the Italian equivalent Guazzetto refers to court jesters.

Overall, the surname Jester and its variants are quite uncommon, making them unique and distinctive.

Famous people with the name Jester

• Kat Jester: an LGBT activist best known as a writer and speaker.
• Kara Jester: an American pole vaulter and Olympic hopeful.
• Elly Jester: a professional prankster and former model.
• Anna Jester: an avant-garde artist inspired by dreams and the natural world.
• Victoria Jester: an award-winning actress, filmmaker, and theatre artist.
• Alisa Jester: an Emmy-winning television producer and entertainment executive.
• Dennis Jester: a country music singer-songwriter and recording artist.
• Griffin Jester: a renowned photographer best known for his portraits of animals.
• Garrett Jester: a professional skater, filmmaker, and entrepreneur.
• Oz Jester: a renowned stand-up comedian and actor.

Other surnames

JestenJestes