Surname Kerstel - Meaning and Origin
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Kerstel: What does the surname Kerstel mean?
The ancient German surname Kerstel has roots going back to medieval times, before written records began. It is derived from the combination of two Old High German words – “kerren” and “stella”. “Kerren” means “to turn”, “to circle”, and “stella” is a diminutive for the word “stelle” meaning “place”. Thus the whole compound can be interpreted as someone who “turned around the place” or one who “circled around the place”. This phrase could have been used to describe a particular habit or characteristic of an ancestor, or it could have been used to describe the daily ritual of a person's profession, like a shepherd.
The earliest recorded form of the name was “Kerster”. It is thought that this particular spelling was derived from the Germanic spelling “Kerstel”. It was used as a name in the area of Bavaria and Rheinland as far back as the 14th century. The name was popular in these regions for centuries and spread out to the surrounding countries. The name Kerstel is also found in records from other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Czechoslovakia.
In modern times, the name Kerstel is considered to be a status symbol, as it is associated with wealth and high standing in the community. The Kerstel name has a long and distinguished history that is closely tied to the region it originated from. Today, the name is still seen in all parts of the world, usually in the form of a surname.
Order DNA origin analysisKerstel: Where does the name Kerstel come from?
The last name Kerstel is a German surname that is most commonly found in the western region of Germany. Although it is not as popular as it once was, it is still a widely used surname in some parts of the country. It is also possible to find people with the Kerstel surname in other European countries such as The Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland.
Outside of Europe, the Kerstel last name is most common in the United States, specifically in states with a large German-American population such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Tennessee. Some Kerstel family members came over to the United States from Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the Kerstel surname is scattered throughout the United States and is present in all fifty states but tends to be more prevalent in states with higher German-American populations.
Despite its prevalence in the US, the Kerstel last name is largely unheard of in other parts of the world. A few people with the Kerstel surname live in Australia, Canada, the UK, and even some Latin American countries, but their numbers are few. Ultimately, the Kerstel last name is still most commonly found in western Germany and within the United States.
Variations of the surname Kerstel
The surname Kerstel is typically of German origin, sometimes spelled as Kerstle or, less commonly, Kerstell. Variations within Germany include Kersting, Kerstein, and Kerstien.
The spelling of Kerstel may have also evolved as the result of translations to other languages. For example, in Dutch the surname is usually rendered as Kerstel, Kerstle, or Kerstele, as well as Kerstijn, Kersting, Kerstens, or Kersteijn. In French, it is Kerstelle or Kerstel. In Italian it is Cherstel.
Kerstel and its related names have been found in the United States, but the spelling is usually translated to English as Carstle, Carstel, Carstell, Carstle, or Carstell and variations of those, including Carston, Carstin, Carstine, Carstens, Castel, Castell, Castelle, Caster, Castill, Castille, Caston, Castin, Castine, Castellano, and Castillon.
Kerstel is also related to other surnames, such as Karst, Karstens, or Karsten and Kirchstätter, which is typically found in Austria, with variations including Kirchstetter, Kirchstatter, Karchstatter, Kirchstetten, and Kirchstatten.
The spelling of Kerstel, and its related names, can further be divided into patronymic surnames, which are derived from a father's given name, and toponymic or habitational surnames, which are derived from the name of a place, such as a town, county, province, or country.
Ultimately, Kerstel is an ancient surname adapted and evolved over time. While the variations, spellings and surnames may seem extensive, each one is firmly rooted and connected by a single origin.
Famous people with the name Kerstel
- Paul Kerstel: German actor and theater director.
- David Kerstel: Professional wrestler.
- Rahel Kerstel: German artist.
- Guy Kerstel: French politician.
- Johannes Kerstel: German historian and linguist.
- Rocio Kerstel: Spanish actor.
- Antonio Kerstel: Portuguese artist.
- Zoltin Kerstel: Hungarian lawyer.
- Jürgen Kerstel: German chef.
- Pia Kerstel: German singer.