Surname Terstege - Meaning and Origin
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Terstege: What does the surname Terstege mean?
The last name Terstege is a Dutch surname derived from the Middle Dutch words ‘ter’ (from, of) and ‘stegge’ (small, narrow path). It is loosely translated as one who is from the small, narrow path.
The name most likely is derived from a place name with the same meaning. It could refer to either a small, winding path winding through a town or village, or a small, winding path leading to a certain area.
The name experienced a surge in popularity in the Netherlands during the 15th and 16th centuries, as it was a popular family name in the Low Countries. This may have been a result of increased prosperity and freedom of religious choice during the Reformation, which allowed families to stand out from the crowd.
The name Terstege is still found in the Low Countries, particularly in the Netherlands. It is also used in the United States, Canada and Australia, as it has become an international surname.
The name has many different variations, with Steege and Steeg being the most common. The name is often used as a given name for children, either by itself or as a surname, as it makes for a strong, powerful name.
The name Terstege is steeped in history and carries with it an air of mystery and intrigue. It is a simple yet powerful name which is perfect for children who want to stand out and make a statement.
Order DNA origin analysisTerstege: Where does the name Terstege come from?
The last name Terstege is generally considered to be of Dutch-German origin. It is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany, although other countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia all have a presence of the Terstege surname.
In the Netherlands, Terstege is a fairly common surname with almost eight thousand people bearing this name, as per Groot Naamesregister Nederland (GNN). It is found in almost all parts of the country, particularly in the northern and central regions. It is also found in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, as well as among some of the country's immigrants.
The Germany Telephone Directory lists over five thousand people with the Terstege surname living in Germany. It is most popular in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria.
In the United Kingdom, nearly four thousand people have the Terstege surname in the latest census. The majority of these live in England, primarily in London, South Yorkshire, Essex, and Kent.
In the United States, the Terstege name appears to be fairly rare, with only about two hundred people listed in the 2020 census. However, it is much more common in Canada, with the last name being found in all provinces and territories.
In Australia, the number of people bearing the Terstege surname is even lower than in the United States. Still, a few hundred people are found throughout the country, primarily in the states of Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales.
Variations of the surname Terstege
The surname Terstege is of Dutch origin and can be seen spelled in various ways, such as Ter Stege, Tersteeg, van Tersteeg, ter Stegger, ter Steege, terSteeg, terSteeg, van Tersteegen, Van TerSteeg and van TerStieg.
The family name is of toponymic origin, deriving from the name of a place of origin associated with the original bearer. The earliest known record of the surname is seen in the Netherlands, with references found in old Dutch documents which date from the 15th century.
The first recorded form of the family name is TerStegger. Found in the Texel region of northern Holland in 1511, it is derived from the Dutch words ‘ter’ (at, around) and ‘steg’ meaning a ‘place’. Thence, it is likely that the early bearers of this name had their original place of residence near a steg.
The other forms, such as van Tersteeg, ter Steege, terSteeg, ter Steeg, and Van TerSteeg all appear in Dutch records from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. By this time, the van Tersteeg variant had become a well-known and well-respected family name in the Dutch provinces, with many famous individuals bearing it.
The last variant, Van TerStieg, appears in records dating from the early 19th century, and this variant is believed to have been created by individuals who wished to set themselves apart from the more established Van Tersteeg family.
All of these variants continue to be found in various parts of Europe, with many bearers of the Terstege surname keeping the original spelling of the family name.
Famous people with the name Terstege
- Christine Tersteeg: German politician and former Member of the German Bundestag
- Greg TerStegge: American professional ice hockey player
- Marc TerStegge: American professional basketball player
- Willem TerStege: Dutch professional footballer
- Stefan Tersteeg: German music producer and entrepreneur
- Denise Tersteeg: Dutch swimmer
- Jan Tersteeg: Dutch professional long-distance runner
- Eddie TerSteege: American stunt performer and actor
- Wilfred Tersteeg: Dutch professional cyclist
- Frank TerStegge: American professor of art history
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Comments or additions to the name "Terstege"
30.07.2024
USA. Cleveland, Ohio. Frank Terstage family