Surname Sylvester - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Sylvester Lineage: An Emotional Journey with iGENEA DNA Test

Having embarked on an emotional adventure with iGENEA's DNA test, I discovered significant traces of my lineage linked to the Celts. With the Sylvester surname originating from vast European roots, I was keen to meet my past, and its profound influence was nothing less than humbling and transformational.

A. Sylvester

Sylvester: What does the surname Sylvester mean?

The surname Sylvester is derived from the Latin name "Silvester" and has an interesting meaning. It means 'wooded' or 'wild', originating from the Latin word 'silva' which means 'forest' or 'woodland'. This name was usually given to people who lived in or near a forest or woodland. In middle ages, Sylvester also became popular as a personal name after St. Sylvester, who was a pope in the Roman Catholic Church in the 4th century. Thus, as a last name, Sylvester could signify that one's ancestors were followers of St. Sylvester or dwelled near a forest. The name is widely used in several countries including France, Italy, and England, among others. The variations of this surname include Silvester, Sylvestre, and the Italian version Silvestri.

Sylvester: Where does the name Sylvester come from?

The last name Sylvester is common in various parts of the world today. It is especially prevalent in English-speaking countries, especially among families of western European descent. In the United States, Sylvester is currently ranked as the 868th most common surname. It is currently most commonly found in the northeast, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York and Rhode Island. In the UK, Sylvester is ranked as one of the 700 most common surnames and is most common in areas of London and Greater Manchester. In regions with higher concentrations of people of Irish descent, such as in certain parts of the United States and the UK, Sylvester is a more commonly found surname. In other parts of the world, Sylvester is still somewhat common, and one may find the surname in countries such as France, Poland, Canada, Malta, India, Australia, and South Africa. While the exact origin of the name Sylvester is uncertain, research suggests most Sylvesters have a historical link to western European countries.

Variations of the surname Sylvester

The surname Sylvester has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Silvester, Silvesteri, Silvestri, Sylvesteri, Sylvestero, Sylvestre, and Sylvé.

Silvester is the original and most popular form of the surname Sylvester. It originates from the Latin ‘silva’ which means ‘forest’. It was a popular first name and surname across Europe during the 15th century.

Silvesteri and Silvestri are other variants stemming from the same origin. The former is found more in Italy, while the latter is found in France.

Syvesteri is the Italian form of the name Sylvester. It is derived from the Latin ‘silva’ which means ‘forest’.

Sylvestero is another variant that has its roots in Spain. It is a combination of Latin and Greek words which mean ‘forest’ and ‘life’ respectively.

Sylvestre is a version of the name found mostly in France and Switzerland. It is directly derived from the Latin ‘silva’ which means ‘forest’.

Sylvé is the North American version of the name that has a French origin. It is derived from the Latin and Greek words which mean ‘forest’ and ‘life’ respectively.

The surname Sylvester is a popular first name and surname across Europe during the 15th century. All of its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin have been derived from the Latin ‘silva’ which means ‘forest’.

Famous people with the name Sylvester

• Sylvester Stallone: An iconic American actor, best known for his roles in the Rocky film series.
• Sylvester McCoy: A British actor who is best known for his roles in various Doctor Who serial’s from 1987 to 1989, as well as his role in the BBC hit series, The Hobbit and The Lovely Bones.
• Sylvester Weaver: An American guitarist, singer and songwriter, best known for his jazz work, setting the standard for many blues guitarists who followed in his footsteps.
• Sylvester Stephenson: An English footballer who played for Ipswich Town. He is best known for scoring a winning goal against Sunderland AFC in 1958.
• Sylvester James: A Singer and songwriter who had a number of hits on the R&B chart in the 1970’s, such as ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’ and ‘Dance (Disco Heat).
• Sylvester Levay: An American composer, arranger and record producer, best known for his work on the Rocky film series, which featured his music on the soundtrack.
• Sylvester Carmouche: An American Jockey who won the Kentucky Derby in 1990, as well as the Preakness States nine years later.
• Sylvester Delevoe: An American Basketball coach, best remembered for his achievements at Tennessee State University.
• Sylvester Green: An American Football player, best remembered for his time with the National Football League.
• Sylvester Croom: An American Football coach, who coached the Mississippi State Bulldogs from 2004 to 2008.

Other surnames

Sylvestre