Surname Kersten - Meaning and Origin
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A Journey Through My Genetics: The iGENEA Test and the Kersten Legacy Unveiled
The DNA test at iGENEA exposed the rich cultural depth of my lineage and the surname Kersten. Simple yet meticulously handled, the test was accurate in its findings. Importantly, it provided me not just a genetic breakdown but also a broader historical and cultural context. The name Kersten, I learned, bore deep geographical roots and a long historical legacy.
W. Kersten
read moreKersten: What does the surname Kersten mean?
The surname Kersten is a German name, derived from the Old High German name Kerstin, which was derived from the Biblical personal name "Kirsten", meaning "the Christian". It is a common surname in Germany, Netherlands, Occitania and other countries with Germanic influence.
Kersten is an occupational surname which originated in the Middle Ages and was usually given to people who worked in Christian houses and churches, such as clergy, teachers and servants. The original meaning of the name is "a follower of Christ".
The Kersten family is originally from Prussia and the Netherlands. It spread to various parts of Europe as a result of the Thirty Years War. In the 18th century, they began to expand into the U.S., settling mainly in Pennsylvania and the Midwest.
Kersten is a pretty rare surname in the United States, making up about 0.0015% of the population. There are various spellings of the name around the world, including Carstien, Carsteins, Kerstens, Kursteins, and Kerstin.
The Kersten family now consists of people of all backgrounds and nationalities. They tend to be highly educated and well-traveled, and they value family traditions. Some famous people with the Kersten last name include Paul Kersten (a German-born American jazz musician), Walther Kersten (a Dutch athlete), and Oskar Kersten (a German diplomat).
Order DNA origin analysisKersten: Where does the name Kersten come from?
The last name Kersten is commonly found in many countries around the world today. In Europe, Kersten is mostly found in Germany and the Netherlands. Countries with high numbers of Kersten families include the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Kerstens have a strong presence in many regions inside Germany, most notably the provinces of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate. The Netherlands also has many Kerstens, being concentrated mainly in the provinces of North and South Holland.
Outside of Europe, Kersten families are particularly strong in the continental United States where they are concentrated in the midwestern and northeastern regions. They are also found in large numbers in Canada and Australia. In New Zealand, Kerstens have been living there since the 19th century and are mostly found in the south of the country.
Given its diverse geographical presence, it is clear that the last name Kersten is an international one that continues to be present in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Kersten
Kersten is an origin surname derived from a Germanic language, and most likely of Dutch or German origin. It can be found in various languages spelled in various ways.
The most common variants are Caresten, Kerstens, Kresten, Köstner, Keirstead, Kerstetter, and Kirschten.
The Dutch version of the name is Keesters or Keesten, and the Icelandic version is Kjastan. In German, it can be found spelled as Christen, Kerstin, Kister, Kaiten, Keston, and Kirst.
In English, the spelling is often just slightly modified as Kirsten, Kirstin, Kerstine, Kerstan, Kistin, Kirsty, and Kistie.
The French variant is Christin or Kerstan. In Swedish, the spelling is Kersten, Kårsten, or Körsten.
In Irish and Scottish, this surname has been changed to a Gaelic translation, Carstan, and in Danish, it is typically seen as Kjerstin or Kertsen.
In Eastern European countries, such as Poland and Ukraine, it is usually seen as Kerstenow or Kertan.
Despite the large number of variant spellings, each version of the surname Kersten very likely has the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kersten
- Rudolf Kersten: German architect
- Paul Kersten: German sculptor
- Maja Kersten: Swedish ballerina
- John Kersten: British politician
- Franz Kersten: German opera singer
- Watty Kersten: Dutch singer-songwriter
- Jacob Kersten: Dutch film producer
- Gunnar Kersten: Swedish speed skater
- Andrew Kersten: American historian
- Lennart Kersten: Danish film director
- Larry Kersten: American baseball coach
- Elias Kersten: Swedish poet and author
- Tony Kersten: Dutch comedy entertainer
- Sarah Kersten: German swimmer and Olympic silver medalist
- Michael Kersten: Austrian ski jump champion
- Radbod Kersten: Dutch actor
- Hendrik Kersten: Dutch journalist
- Frits Kersten: Dutch architect
- Anna Kersten: German painter
- Lars Kersten: German football defender