Surname Kosters - Meaning and Origin
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Revisiting the Roots: Discovering the Unexpected Kosters' Lineage Through DNA Testing
Venturing on a journey to explore one's ancestral roots can indeed be transformative. DNA testing through iGENEA revealed unexpected insights about my heritage that reshaped my understanding of the Kosters' lineage and myself. From discovering a Celtic lineage to learning of maritime ties, this voyage of self-discovery marked a turning point in my life.
G. Kosters
read moreKosters: What does the surname Kosters mean?
The last name Kosters is of Dutch origin and is thought to have come from the High German word ‘Koster’, meaning ‘usher’. It is likely that those who bore the Kosters name were religious officials or of a religious family.
The surname could also be derived from the Medieval Dutch word ‘Koster’, which means “steward” and was used to describe the keeper of an inn or student residence. This theory is further supported by the fact that some Kosters families can trace their ancestry back to Flanders, an area of what is now Belgium.
It is possible that the name Kosters was also acquired by some unwitting immigrants from Germany to the United States during the 1700s, likely to have arrived in Pennsylvania and New York. Many Dutch and German records of this time period are unavailable, so this theory remains unclear and speculative.
Today, the surname Kosters is found mostly in the Netherlands and the countries of Flanders, although there are many people bearing the name around the world, especially in former Dutch colonies such as South Africa and the United States.
The Kosters family is known for its strong work ethic and traditional values, something it has held onto throughout its long history. It is also a proud family of entrepreneurs, with many successful members in the business world.
Order DNA origin analysisKosters: Where does the name Kosters come from?
The last name Kosters is a common Dutch surname that can be found in various places around the world today. It particularly common in the United States, especially in the Midwest. There are many places in America with concentrations of Kosters, including Wisconsin and Iowa. In the Netherlands, Kosters is the 37th most common surname, indicating its popularity in the region. Kosters can also be found in Canada and Australia.
Kosters is derived from the Dutch word "Koster," which translates to "sexton" or someone who takes care of a church. The surname is thought to have originated as an occupational name for someone with this job. As it is a home-grown Dutch name, it is likely that the name stayed in the Netherlands for many years. However, due to a significant immigration rate in the 19th and early 20th centuries, many Dutch born individuals bearing the Kosters name relocated to various countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Although the Kosters surname may not be as widespread in its home country today, the name has expanded across the world. As many Kosters families have relocated, the surname has taken on new forms. For example, many American Kosters families spell their last names differently, such as Coffers or Cousters, as they are adapted for English-speaking countries. Despite these slight modifications, the name Kosters is a popular last name around the world.
Variations of the surname Kosters
The surname Kosters has many variant spellings and related surnames of the same origin. Some of the common variant spellings include Koster, Costers, Kosters and Koester. These different spellings are mainly the result of clerical errors made by officials taking records.
Variations of the Kosters surname can also found in numerous other languages and cultures. For example the French language variant is Coste, an Italian version is Costi, Croatian version is Kostović, and a Dutch version is Kostersdijk.
In terms of related surnames of the same origin, some examples include Kastner, Kuster, Kost, Kostel, Koschnick, and Levinsky.
Tracing family histories also reveals some interesting variations of the Kosters surname created through regional dialectic influences. These include Kostè, Kosten, Kosterich, Kostmayer, Kostner, Kostolany and Kösters.
Whilst it is common for name variations to arise over time, what remains the same is the fact that names like Kosters, Costers, Koster and Koester all originated from the same surname, thus giving evidence to the fact that generations long before us all share a common ancestor.
Famous people with the name Kosters
- Brenda Koster: indie folk singer-songwriter based in the Netherlands.
- Zola Koster: Dutch jazz vocalist and songwriter.
- Geert Koster: Dutch photographer who was known for his work in the early 1950s.
- Mark Koster: Canadian actor most famous for his role in the TV series “Seven Steps to Heaven”.
- Bart Kosters: Dutch electronic musician, composer and performer.
- Luciano Kosters: Argentinian professional footballer who plays for Club Almagro.
- Richard Kosters: Dutch road and gravel racing cyclist.
- Rebecca Kosters: Dutch professional roller skater active since 2001.
- Christian Kosters: German current affairs journalist, editor and author.
- Chris Kosters: American soccer player who most recently played for the Carolina RailHawks.