Surname Ostler - Meaning and Origin

Ostler: What does the surname Ostler mean?

The last name Ostler is an occupational surname that originated from the Middle Ages. It is derived from Old English and refers to someone who works as a stableman; one who looks after horses and carriages. During this time, many people had a horse and carriage as a means of transportation, thus making the job of an ostler essential for travelers.

The surname Ostler tends to be localized, with most people bearing this name originating from the UK, specifically in the areas of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. It is most commonly found among families from Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Kent, and Lincolnshire. This surname can also be found in other countries of origin, such as German, Dutch, and South African.

In modern times, Ostler still remains a popular surname. Its implications imply a sense of hard work and reliability, making it a desirable last name choice. The name is a great way to honor the legacy of your ancestors who worked so hard to help keep travelers on the road.

Ostler: Where does the name Ostler come from?

The last name Ostler is commonly found in the United States and the United Kingdom today. Though the surname is of Germanic origin, it is unclear exactly where and when it became established in either country.

In the US, Ostler has mostly been found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and California. Between 1880 and 2014, it has seen the highest concentration in Pennsylvania, with more than half of the approximately 5,400 US Ostler families residing there throughout this period. Pennsylvania Ostlers have likely descended from families who immigrated from Switzerland and Germany during the mid- to late 1700s.

In the UK, Ostler has a much longer history of being established, dating back to the 11th century Norman-English rule of medieval England. During that time, the surname was borne by baronial families related to the Earl of Warwick, as well as by people who worked as ostlers at inns. Today, the surname is most commonly found in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and especially around the area of East Anglia.

Though the background of the Ostler surname is not definitively known, its current presence in both the US and UK world indicate that it has been a widely spread last name across the English-speaking world for centuries.

Variations of the surname Ostler

The surname Ostler is a name of German and Anglo-Saxon origin. The name has several variations of spelling, variants and surnames of the same origin.

The variants of the surname include Osteler, Austeler, Oestler, Ostler, Osterler, Osterling, Osterloh, Oesterlein and oasterly.

The variant Osteler is an occupational name meaning "hostler," someone who offers hospitality to a rider, taking care of his horse. The surname occurs mostly in northern Germany and its spelling variants are found throughout Europe.

Austeler is also an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word “austaler” meaning "stable keeper". This spelling variant is common among central and eastern European countries.

Oestler and Ostler are variants of the name found mainly in Germany and Austria. Osterler and Osterling are common variations of the surname found in Germany and Austria.

Osterloh is a variant found mainly in northern and western Germany. Oesterlein is a spelling variant of the name found in parts of Europe, including Austria and the Netherlands. Oasterly is another spelling variant of Ostler, mainly found in the United States.

Overall, the surname Ostler exists in many forms due to its German and Anglo-Saxon heritage. All of these variants of the name share the same origin and often signify an occupation.

Famous people with the name Ostler

• Robert Ostler: speech-language pathologist and professor at Montana State University.
• Mark Ostler: former American football player who was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft.
• Steve Ostler: former professional goalkeeper who played in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
• Tony Ostler: former college basketball player at BYU who later played professionally in Europe.
• Larry Ostler: former American football player who played three seasons for the Denver Broncos.
• Paul Ostler: former college basketball player at Utah State who later played professionally in Europe.
• Ralph Ostler: former Major League Baseball player who played two seasons for the Cleveland Indians.
• Frank Ostler: former college basketball player at Oregon State and professional coach in the CBA.
• George Ostler: former British soldier who fought in World War II and received the Victoria Cross for his actions.
• Miles Ostler: former professional musician and singer-songwriter in the San Francisco music scene.

Other surnames

Ostlender

Comments or additions to the name "Ostler"

24.01.2024
Robert Ostler Corn Merchant
Sydney Ostler 2nd world war soldier. After the war joined
his brother in the Corn Merchants office

Corn Merchants
Boston Lincs