Surname Kerstens - Meaning and Origin
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Kerstens: What does the surname Kerstens mean?
The last name Kerstens is a patronymic surname primarily found in parts of Europe such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. It is derived from the first name of the father of the original bearer and began as a means of identification. The surname Kerstens is derived from the male given name “Kersten”, which is a form of the German Petrus and Latinized form of the Greek “Petros” as a derivative of "Petra" meaning “stone” in English.
The name likely reflected a patriarchal family or a man’s devotion to Christianity, as a reference to Saint Peter. In biblical times, Peter was known as Simon Peter, and was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven and the very first stone walls were built around Jerusalem. He was the first "rock" of the church, so the name may also be interpreted as “the son of Peter” or “son of the rock”.
The surname Kerstens is also found in Anglicized forms such as Kerston, Kerstein and Kersting. Spelling of the surname varies between generations, reflecting phonetic spelling conventions of that era. The oldest recorded bearers of the name are recorded in Germany in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is quite common in Holland, England, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKerstens: Where does the name Kerstens come from?
Kerstens is an ancient patronymic surname that originated in western European countries like Germany and the Netherlands. It is derived from the ancient Germanic given name "Kerstin," which comes from the Greek "Kersti," meaning "follower of Christ".
Today, the surname Kerstens is commonly seen in Dutch, German, Belgian, and Danish populations. One of the most concentrated areas has been in the Netherlands, where the name is especially popular in the provinces of Gelderland, Groningen, North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, and Zeeland.
Kerstens is also seen in other areas of Europe, including in the United Kingdom, France, and Norway. There were also plenty of immigrants who settled in the United States and Canada with the last name, so it can be found there too.
Kerstens is still a very common last name around the world today. It's a surname that clearly has a long, interesting history, and it looks like it's here to stay.
Variations of the surname Kerstens
The surname Kerstens is a Dutch patronymic surname which is derived from the personal name "Kerst". This name is a diminutive of the surname Kerstiaan, which translates to "Christ-bearer". Common variants of this surname include Kersten, Kerstens, Kersting, Kirsten, Kirstens, Kirsting and Kerstenaar.
Kerstens is a popular surname in the Netherlands, as well as other Dutch speaking communities. In the Netherlands, there are several common spellings of the surname, including Kerstens, Kosten, Kluyts, Kies, Kaersoesen, van Kesteren and van Kerstens. Some of the less common Dutch spellings include Kerstes, Kesters, Kisters, Keerstens, Keers, Knorstens and Knorst.
In other countries, the surname Kerstens is often spelled differently due to language-related transcription errors. Common variants of the surname in other countries include Kosten, Kersten, Kerstin, Kirsten, Kirstin, Kressel, Kerstens and a variety of other spellings.
In the United States, the surname is sometimes seen in its spelling as Christians, Crstensen, Kirstensen, Carnagey, Korsen, Cirsten and Carstensen. These surname variants in the United States are largely derived from the immigrant families who settled in the area after leaving the Netherlands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Kerstens is also a well-known surname in South Africa. Common spellings in South Africa include Kirsten, Kirstin, Kresin, Kressel, Kershel, Carstens, Carstine and Robertus. All of these variants are believed to be derived from the Dutch name Kerstens.
Famous people with the name Kerstens
- Tom Kerstens: Dutch musician and composer.
- Dudley Kerstens: South African architect and founder of the architectural design firm Kerestens and Co Architects.
- Emma Kerstens: Dutch long-distance runner. She has represented her country at numerous international events.
- Herma Kerstens: Dutch politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2009.
- Laura Kerstens: Dutch beach volleyball player, she has been a member of the national team since 2012.
- Marco Kerstens: Dutch chef and restaurateur, specializes in Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.
- Nadine Kerstens: Dutch sculptor and former visual artist.
- Pieter Kerstens: Dutch painter, known for his richly colored still-lifes and landscapes.
- John Kerstens: American photographer, known for capturing the lives of people in his native Pennsylvania.
- Tanneke Kerstens: Dutch bobsledder, she has represented her country at the Winter Olympic Games.