Surname Krister - Meaning and Origin
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Krister: What does the surname Krister mean?
The surname Krister is a Swedish name derived from the Latin name 'Christiernus', which means 'Annointed' or 'Follower of Christ'. It can also mean 'The Lord's Advocate' or 'He whose vote prevails'. This name was most often used for a noble man or baron and usually referred to a particular clan found in what is now southern Sweden.
The Krister surname has Swedish roots, but can be found today in many different countries. It is quite common in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the name appears to have first been taken on by immigrants arriving in the mid-19th century, and the surname Krister can be found today in many states across the country.
Throughout history, the surname Krister has been associated with a sense of protection and leadership. It is a surname that reflects the strength and courage found in Swedish culture, and that is still evident in many of those who carry the name today. It can be a great source of pride for many, and serves to honour the ancestry of those who have it.
Order DNA origin analysisKrister: Where does the name Krister come from?
The surname Krister is of Swedish origin. It is currently most commonly found in the Nordic countries, particularly in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. According to The Swedish Surnames Index, the surname Krister is known to be the 24th most common in Sweden, the 27th most common in Norway, and the 70th most common in Denmark.
The surname Krister is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages during a period of high migration. It is believed to have been derived from a personal name meaning “Christian”. Today, the surname is widely spread throughout the Nordic countries and can be found in a variety of spellings, including Krister, Kresten, Krista, Kresse, Kristensen, and Kristiansen.
The surname is also found in the United States, where it is most commonly identified among people of Scandinavian descent, especially those whose ancestors immigrated from Sweden. According to the US Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program, the surname Krister is currently the 903rd most common name in the United States.
Finally, the surname Krister is also known to be present in other parts of the world, including Canada, Germany, England, Australia, and New Zealand. In these countries, it is mainly found among those of Scandinavian descent.
Variations of the surname Krister
The surname Krister has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common are Kreszta, Kreyzta, Kreschta, Kriszta, Kresta, Krestel, Kressel, Krüschel, and Krecskay. Kreszta is the most popular variant and is related to the German and Slavic Krister, meaning “ruler” or “lord”. It is often found in Hungary, Austria, and other central European countries.
The variants Kreyzta and Kreschta are linked to the French Krister, which is derived from Christ and similarly means “ruler or lord”. It is mainly found in France, Belgium, and some French-speaking countries. Kriszta is a Hungarian variant of the same meaning.
Kresta originates from two different sources: the Latin Christus, meaning “anointed one”, and the Greek Kreistos, meaning “lord or ruler”. The spelling Krestel is commonly found in Germans areas such as Austria and Germany. Kressel, Krüschel, and Krecskay, on the other hand, are all Croatian variations of Krister.
Overall, Krister is a relatively common surname across many countries, and the various spellings indicate its historical presence in different languages and countries.
Famous people with the name Krister
- Willem Krister, a Dutch field hockey player
- Charlie Krister, an American former football player
- Chris Krister, a professional surfer from Sweden
- Faron Krister, an American former minor league baseball player
- Annika Krister, a German fashion model
- Ken Krister, a former American basketball player
- Lena Krister, a Swedish hurdler and sprinter
- Bo Krister Smith, a Swedish cricketer
- Ulf Krister, an Olympic medalist in yachting for Sweden
- Michael Krister, a German footballer
- Allen Krister, an American rower
- John Krister, an American retired professional wrestler
- Omri Krister, an Israeli businessman
- Boris Krister, a Croatian theatre director and actor
- Mano Krister, a German composer
- Mattias Krister, a Swedish former competitive dancer
- Ewert Krister, an Estonian skier
- C. August Krister, a Swedish sculptor
- Evert Krister, a Finnish architect
- Jouni Krister, a retired Finnish professional ice hockey player