Surname Kasten - Meaning and Origin

A deep dive into the genetic journey of the surname Kasten: Insights from my iGENEA DNA test

Through the lense of an iGENEA DNA test, I embarked on an extraordinarily enlightening journey into my genetic past, unearthing telling insights about my surname, Kasten. This exploration into my lineage has not only demystified several family myths but also affirmed many beliefs regarding my ancestry. The scientific findings have revealed deep-rooted connections to Central Europe, especially regions that are now part of modern-day Germany, and a cultural connection to the Suevi tribe.

W. Kasten

Kasten: What does the surname Kasten mean?

The last name Kasten is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “kaste” which means “cask” or “sessel,” or “barrel.” It’s believed that the name was a topographic name for someone who lived in a house near a barrel or cask found in a forest or mountain. It could also be derived from someone who worked with barrels or cask, as one of the earliest verified uses of the name was a person associated with the making of beer named “Kastemacher” in 1678. The last name is fairly common throughout Germany and did spread to the United States with German immigration. It is sometimes found spelled as Kaesten, Kasten, Kesten, on Kisten. The last names Kaestner, Kastner, Kestner, and Kistner are related to the last name Kasten.

Today, Kasten is registered in Germany, the United States, and Canada. In Germany alone, almost 4,000 people hold this name as of 2020. As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 4,733 people with this last name. It is fairly common throughout the United States, with 1,400 in California, 1,000 in Texas, and 600 in Illinois. In Canada, Kasten is the 5,815th most common surname, with 324 people being recorded as having the last name.

Kasten: Where does the name Kasten come from?

The last name Kasten is most common today in Germany, where it is spelled Kasten. It is also known in other countries, primarily where German-speaking populations have settled, such as Switzerland, Austria, and the United States.

In the US, Kasten can be commonly found in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Missouri, though it is not as popular as in Germany. The Kasten surname appears in US censuses as far back as the 18th century, when it was spelled Kaston, Kisten, and Kesten.

In Germany, the Kasten surname is most common in the northern parts of the country, such as Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and the free city of Hamburg. Kasten is an occupational name, derived from the old German word Kasten, meaning case. Historically, this was a name given to those who made cases, usually out of wood.

Kasten is a popular surname in Germany today, and can even be seen on commercial products, such as beer and computer items. It may be traced to family lines that originate in 12th century Germany. In the US, Kasten is generally a surname associated with German ancestry, and those who have it may want to explore their roots and discover the family's history.

Variations of the surname Kasten

Kasten is a surname of German origin meaning "chest", referring to a chest for storing items. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are:

Kast, Kaste, Kastein, Kasten, Kaster, Kastner, Kastor, Casten, Kaest, Kaeste, Kaestner, Kaestner, Kaesten, Kheesten, Khaest, and Khesten.

Kast is a diminutive form of Kasten, and is derived from Middle High German "Kaste" and Old High German "Kast" or "Kasti". This is the most popular variant of the surname Kasten.

Kaste and Kastein are also derivatives of Kasten and are found in certain parts of Germany such as Prussia, mainly in Silesia, and along the Rhine.

Kastner and Kaestner are derived from the German word "Kastner", which means the custodian of a Kasten or a chest. Kaestner is an alternate spelling of Kastner primarily found in southern Germany.

Kastor, Casten, Kaest, and Kaeste are all variations of Kasten. Kastor is a combination of Kasten and the German word "Tor" (gate), referring to someone who guarded a gate to a storehouse. Casten and Kaest are found in Northern Germany, while Kaeste is found in western Germany.

Kheesten, Khaest, and Khesten are all German dialectal variations of Kasten, derived from the Middle High German "Chaste" and Old High German "Chasti". Khesten has been recorded in Christianised [ Jewish ] records dating back to the 17th century in Germany.

Famous people with the name Kasten

• Kurt Kasten: American record producer.
• Bob Kasten: former United States Senator from Wisconsin.
• Amy Kasten: American news reporter and correspondent for Fox News Channel.
• Lauren Kasten: American filmmaker and writer.
• Erwin Kasten: German football coach and manager.
• Nikki Kasten: American professional wrestler.
• Justin Kasten: Grammy-nominated songwriter, music producer and mixing engineer.
• Brandon Kasten: American professional golfer.
• Nate Kasten: American installation artist.
• Dirk Kasten: German professor and researcher in the fields of microelectronics and materials engineering.
• Natacha Kasten: French contemporary artist.
• Christian Kasten: German ice hockey player.
• Raymond Kasten: American urologist.
• Hilary Kasten: Canadian contemporary artist.
• Martine Kasten: Dutch fashion designer.
• Oliver Kasten: Canadian filmmaker and photographer.
• Jeff Kasten: American musician, multi-instrumentalist and engineer.
• Kristina Kasten: American feminine hygiene products CEO.
• Cheryl Kasten: American college professor.
• Egon Kasten: German cinematographer.

Other surnames

KasteKasteinKastelcKastelicKastelloKastenbauerKastenbaumKastendieckKastendiekKastenerKastenmaierKastenmayerKastenmeierKastenmeyerKastenmillerKastenmüllerKastensKaster