Surname Silwester - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Silwester: What does the surname Silwester mean?
The last name Silwester is derived from an English surname, "Sylvester". It originated from the personal name Sylvester, which is derived from Latin in turn, and is composed of two elements: ‘silva’, meaning ‘wood’, and ‘ter’ meaning ‘wild’; thus, the name could be interpreted as someone who lived in a forest or was wild in nature.
Over time, Silwester morphed into a surname used by various families of different backgrounds and different locations around the world. In the United Kingdom this surname is mainly found in the counties of Devon and Cornwall; this is where the name is believed to have been in use since the 13th century.
In America, however, Silwester is a fairly uncommon surname, with records from immigration pathways suggesting that those bearing the name hailed from Germany or Austria. The surname Silwester is believed to have also been used during the mass migration of Europeans to North America spanning from the 17th century onwards.
Due to its multifaceted nature, its exact meaning may remain unknown or to some degree, open to interpretation. Nevertheless, in the most literal sense, the last name Silwester can be taken to mean “one who lives in a wild wood”.
Order DNA origin analysisSilwester: Where does the name Silwester come from?
The last name Silwester is not particularly common today, although it is found in a few countries across the world. Originally from Germanic or Dutch origins, the name is believed to have come from a combination of the words for "silver" and "tide” or “estera".
In the United States, there is a small number of people with the Silwester name living in California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other states. The name is most common in the Netherlands, where records show that it has been used since the thirteenth century. There are also some Silwesters in France, Belgium, Spain, and Greece.
The name is also found in some former German colonies in Poland, Ukraine, Russia, and Romania. In many of these countries, the surname is spelled Silvister or Sylwestrzak.
In the Far East, Silwester is a slightly more prominent surname with origins in either China or Japan. In some Asian countries, the name is often spelled Selvestere or Shilvestor. It is usually seen in conjunction with Korean, Mongolian or Native American ancestry.
Overall, the Silwester surname is not particularly widespread, but it is still found in some parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Silwester
The surname Silwester has several variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin, all of which are derived from the same root.
The surname Silwester is most commonly used in countries of Slavic origin such as Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Czech Republic. In these countries, the surname is most commonly spelled as Silwester or Silwesters.
In other countries in Europe, such as Norway, Finland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany, the surname is spelled differently, usually as Sylwester or Sylwestrzak.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly spelled as Silverstine or Silverstein.
In other countries, such as Canada and Australia, the name is often spelled as Silvestri or Silvestris.
Other various spellings of the surname Silwester include Silvestro, Szymeck, Sylvester, Sylvestre, and Sylvestr.
The surname Silwester is also found in other countries, such as India and South Africa, but with different spelling variations such as Sylwester or Sylwesterer.
Overall, the various spellings of the surname Silwester and its derivatives all have the same origin, which is derived from the Latin word silvestris, meaning wild or untamed. This surname was likely given to those who lived in rural, forested areas or worked outdoors.
Famous people with the name Silwester
- Vincenzo Silvestri, Italian composer.
- Petr Silwester, former Czechoslovakian Olympic weightlifter.
- Bob Silwester, former professional baseball player.
- Jenna Silwester, American chef and television host.
- Sophia Silwester, British singer and actress.
- Jaan Silwester, Estonian former Prime Minister.
- James Silwester, American artist and illustrator.
- Frank Silwester, American actor and composer.
- Damon Silwester, Australian surf life saving competitor.
- Lionel Silwester, British mathematician.