Surname Kerkstra - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kerkstra: What does the surname Kerkstra mean?
The name Kerkstra is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Dutch word ‘kerk’ which means ‘church’. The Kerkstra surname therefore literally means ‘from the church’ or ‘belonging to the church’ and it likely originated as a toponymic surname meaning ‘from the church’.
The Kerkstra surname is quite old and appears in records dating back to the Middle Ages. It is possible the family could have lived in a town or village that was named after a local church, or that they had some kind of religious importance. Alternatively, the family may have lived near a church. The Kerkstra surname can also be found in records from Germany, Czechoslovakia and Scandinavia.
The Kerkstra coat of arms contains a shield which is divided into four quarters. The first quarter contains a silver Danish axe and the second quarter features a black French crescent and star. The third quarter contains a red inverted chevron and the fourth quarter has a silver moor’s head on it. The shield is topped by a knight’s helmet and is usually flanked by two lions.
The Kerkstra coat of arms is said to represent an ancient Dutch ancestor who a was a crusading knight, which would explain the presence of the axe, crescent and star, and the moor’s head on the shield.
Today, Kerkstra is a common surname in the Netherlands but can also be found in other countries such as Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisKerkstra: Where does the name Kerkstra come from?
The last name Kerkstra is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. However, it has spread to other parts of the world as a result of the Dutch immigration in the 16th and 17th centuries. Kerkstra is a Dutch patronymic name, which means that it is derived from the father's given name. The literal translation of Kerkstra is "church path."
Kerkstra is a relatively common name in the Netherlands, especially in the provinces of North and South Holland, where the name is found with the greatest frequency. It is also found in the northern and western provinces of Gelderland, Friesland, Overijssel, and Drenthe.
Outside of the Netherlands, Kerkstra is most common in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The majority of Kerkstra families have their origins in the Dutch provinces of North and South Holland. Most immigrants arrived in Canada and the United States in the late 19th century, while many arrived in Australia and New Zealand in the early 20th century.
Kerkstra is also found in other countries, such as Germany, France, and Belgium. However, it is not nearly as prevalent in these countries as it is in the Netherlands and fellow Dutch colonization countries.
In short, the last name Kerkstra is most common in the Netherlands and its Dutch colonization countries today, but it can also be found in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Kerkstra
The surname Kerkstra is thought to originate from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Scandinavia. It is derived from the Middle Dutch word ‘Kerkstra’, meaning ‘church street’ or ‘street of the church’.
The variants of the surname Kerkstra include Kerckstra, Kerckstraat, Kerkstra, Kerckstraeter, and Kerkstraeten. Other possible spellings are Kercksman, Kerckstrat, Kerkstrate, Kerkstraete, Kerkstraaten, Kerkstraten, Kerckstra, Kercksstrat, and Kerkstrat.
The surnames of the same origin as Kerkstra include Kerksma, Kerckstra, Kerstal, Kersten, Kerster, Kerkmeester, Kerkendekker, Kerksmaar, Kerkstratten, and Kerstenstey.
Additionally, some of the surnames that stem from the same origin as Kerkstra include Canstienelle, Carstrut, Geercken, Kerkendekkers, Kerkhoof, Kerkhove, Kerkhof, Kerkse, Kerksteden, Kerkluiden, Kerkloo and Kerkvoorde.
Kerkstra is a surname with a rich cultural and linguistic history. There are many different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin all derived from the Netherlands and surrounding regions. With such a diverse array of variants and surnames, it is not surprising that Kerkstra has become a popularly encountered surname in Europe.
Famous people with the name Kerkstra
- Tom Kerkstra: distinguished Dutch lawyer and political party leader.
- Lykle de Vries — Dutch businessman and philanthropist.
- Andrew Kerkstra: former CIA agent and President of Kerkstra Risk Management.
- Jeff Kerkstra: Canadian ice hockey player.
- Phil Kerkstra: former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Trina Kerkstra: award-winning publicist and author.
- Philip Kerkstra: American lawyer and former Illinois state senator.
- Bill Kerkstra: former NFL linebacker.
- Bart Kerkstra: Dutch cyclist and three-time world champion.
- Alexander Kerkstra: reknowned Dutch composer and violinist.