Surname Kesting - Meaning and Origin

Kesting: What does the surname Kesting mean?

The last name Kesting is derived from the Low German verb "kesten", which means to search or to hunt. It is believed that the surname originates from the word "keister" which was used to refer to a person who hunted and trapped wildlife for consumption and trade. The earliest records of the surname date back to the 17th century in Germany, and it is believed that those with the surname mainly resided in northern Germany.

The Kestings were traders who sold a variety of goods. Traders of this type would travel widely and use their knowledge to buy goods at the best prices in the market. They were also often highly skilled negotiators who could influence and manipulate the situation in their favour. The Kestings were also renowned for being sharp-minded and economically-savvy.

Today, Kesting is still a popular German surname. The Kestings of today are descendants of those who were once traders and negotiators, and many still carry on the family tradition of business acumen and negotiation today. While the family has evolved, the underlying entrepreneurial spirit is still very much present in the Kesting family today.

Kesting: Where does the name Kesting come from?

The last name Kesting is most prevalent in the Netherlands today. Specifically, a 2019 study by Overheid.nl—the official website of the Dutch government—found that the vast majority of individuals with the Kesting surname live in the Dutch region of North Brabant, having first appeared in that region in the 18th century. From there, it is also fairly common in neighboring regions such as Utrecht, Limburg, and Friesland.

In certain parts of the Netherlands, particularly in the town of Etten-Leur, the Kesting surname is especially widespread. Even the name of one of the town’s main streets—Kestingstraat—is derived from the Kesting surname. According to public records, around 3.6% of Etten-Leur’s residents in 2019 carried the Kesting surname. This is a surprisingly high concentration of the name for such a small area.

The Kesting name is also present in some other countries, such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Nonetheless, its reach is nowhere near as considerable outside of the Netherlands. Only 0.02% of the world’s population is estimated to have the Kesting surname.

Variations of the surname Kesting

The surname Kesting is a patronymic surname derived from the first name Johannes. It can be found with several variant spellings including Kesting, Kestingh, Kestinge, Kestinga, Kestinger, Kestig, Kestegh, and Kestingh-Majer. It is also seen with alternative surnames such as Kestman, Ketsman, and Kestelman.

The variants of Kesting are found all over the world. This surname is most common in Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark, likely due to migration of the first Kestings in the mid-sixteenth century. However, variants of Kesting can also be found in other areas including France, Belgium, and the United States.

The surname Kesting can be found spelled many different ways depending on the origin country. In Germany, the most common spelling is Kesting, while in the Netherlands it is seen as Kestinge and Kestingh, and in Denmark as Kestiger. For individuals of French-Canadian origin, the surname is often seen spelled as Kestegh.

Many different surnames may be derived from Kesting, including Kestman, Ketsman, and Kestelman. These alternative names can be seen in both Europe and the United States. The spelling variations can be due to migration, or to a lack of standard spelling practices in the 1600’s and 1700’s when the surnames began to be used.

In addition to different spellings, some families may have adopted alternative surnames such as Kestingh-Majer or Kestig. Kestingh-Majer may have been used as a way to differentiate between different branches of the larger Kesting family, while Kestig may have been used as a form of “nickname” by some family members.

Overall, the surname Kesting and its many variants are found all over the world, with each area having its own spellings and surnames derived from the same origin.

Famous people with the name Kesting

• Emily Kesting: A popular American dancer, choreographer and director best known for starring in the reality show Dance Moms and the YouTube series Dance Divinity.
• Paul Kesting: An American academic and scholar in the fields of religion and literature, he was a professor of religious studies at Yale University.
• Robert Kesting: An Australian architect and designer that is best remembered for his modernist post-war designs.
• Nathan Kesting: An American attorney, he specializes in contract negotiations, estate planning, and trust formation.
• Carolyn Kesting: An American artist and sculptor, she has had numerous commissions around the country and her works feature in collections worldwide.
• Frederik Kesting: A retired German soccer player who featured prominently in the 1980s as a forward for clubs like VfL Bochum, FC Bayern München and FK Pirmasens.
• Wesley Kesting: An Australian musician and social media star, Wesley is known for his YouTube covers and creative countdowns, as well as his dubstep and trap beats.
• Isabella Kesting: An American fashion designer, she has showcased her work on the runways of New York Fashion Week and opened her own boutique in New Jersey.
• Mike Kesting: A Canadian rock and roll singer, he experienced a brief moment of fame in the 1950's for his chart-topping hit "Dreamland".
• Kathryn Kesting: An American author, she is best known for her series of novels about a group of friends navigating love and loss in small-town Kentucky.

Other surnames

Kestings