Surname Kerstner - Meaning and Origin
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Kerstner: What does the surname Kerstner mean?
The last name Kerstner is of German origin and is an occupational name that originated from the Middle Low German word, Kersten or Kerstner, which means potter; a person who made pottery.
The occupational name is likely derived from the same root as the German word keramik, which means ceramic. Thus, the surname Kerstner originally referred to a person who worked in the ceramic industry, either as a manufacturer or as a seller of ceramic products.
Today, the surname is common in areas of Germany, as well as throughout other countries with German ancestry. Variations of the name include Kersten, Kerstner, Carstensen, Kersting, Kerstenberger, Kerstle, and Kerstien.
The surname Kerstner can also have other meanings, such as related to the German word kerst ('season'), in which case it could signify a person born at Christmastime. It can also be derived from the Old High German kers (tunic), in which case it could refer to someone who made or sold tunics.
In any case, the surname Kerstner can tell the story of a person's career, ancestry, and cultural background. It links individuals to their past and offers an insight into the unique experiences that shaped the lives of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisKerstner: Where does the name Kerstner come from?
The last name Kerstner is thought to be of Germanic origin and most commonly found in German-speaking countries, particularly in areas near the border of Austria and Germany. This name can also be found in other countries such as the United States and Canada, as many Germans emigrated in the 19th and 20th century. Today, the Kerstner name can be found in large cities and small villages across Germany and parts of Austria. The largest population of Kerstners is found in Germany, with the majority concentrated in North Rhine-Westphalia but also in Saxony and Lower Saxony. In Austria, it is more rarely found, mostly around Vienna and Lower Austria.
In the United States, the most sizeable populations of Kerstners are found in North Dakota, California, and Nebraska. Other pockets of Kerstners can be found scattered throughout the country, but these three states are the most common locations. In Canada, most Kerstners are found in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
It is believed that some people can trace their Kerstner roots to the Czech Republic, as it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire prior to World War I. As of 2021, the estimated population of Kerstners worldwide is around 2,500.
Variations of the surname Kerstner
Kerstner is a German surname originating from the Middle High German word "kerstin", meaning "Christ-like", most likely used as a baptismal name or descriptive nickname. It is a popular given name in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kerstner include Kersten, Kerst, Kerstmann, Kerstin, Kerstine, Kerstenbeck, Kersteneck, Kersting, Kerstlinger, Kerstjens, Kerstlin, Kerstwig, Kristin, Kirstin, Kierstin, Kjerstin, and Kjirstin.
The surname has undergone various orthographic changes, which is why Kerstner can be seen spelled in a variety of ways, such as Kersten, Kerst, Kerstmann, and so on. The most common spelling variations include Kirstein, Kerstinger, Kerstine, Kjerstin, or Kjirstin.
The name has also spread to other regions, including Scandinavian countries and the United Kingdom. In Scandinavian countries, the name is spelled Kirsten or Kjersten, while in the United Kingdom, it's spelled Kerstin or Kirstin.
The many variants of Kerstner demonstrate its ancient family roots. As a result, there are many different surnames that carry the same origin. Although the spelling variations have made tracing family genealogy a bit difficult, the variants of the name represent its deep-rooted legacy.
Famous people with the name Kerstner
- Paul Kerstner, suspended NBA basketball player
- Eugen Kerstner, former East German football player
- Michael Kerstner, Canadian football player
- Amelie Kerstner, German film actress and dramatist
- Ernest Kerstner, American biochemistry professor
- Erik Kerstner, German painter
- Christoph Kerstner, Austrian sculptor
- Peter Kerstner, Austrian painter
- Curt Kerstner, American artist
- Richard Kerstner, American-Australian astronomer
- Herbert Kerstner, German opera conductor
- Gordon Kerstner, American- stomach doctor and author
- Thomas Kerstner, German photographer.