Surname Terstegen - Meaning and Origin

Terstegen: What does the surname Terstegen mean?

The surname Terstegen is of German origin, and is primarily found in the Low Countries. The meaning of the name is derived from the Old German for “settlement gate”, a testament to the history of the many families who claim this name as their own.

The earliest known appearance of the name can be found in the works of the Swiss-German historian Johann Jacob Terstegen, who wrote about the evolution of the family name in the 1700s. It is believed that those individuals bearing the Terstegen name are descended from name-bearers in Germany’s ancient state of Lower Lothringen, now modern day Luxembourg.

Despite the original meaning of the name, it has evolved to signify a trade, for some it is the trade of blacksmiths or engravers. It is quite common for families with this surname to work on projects involving metal or stone.

Today, many people with the Terstegen name continue to work in these trades, and carry a deep connection with their family heritage. This sense of tradition is celebrated within the family, with the name being passed down through generations and continuing to be celebrated around the world.

Terstegen: Where does the name Terstegen come from?

The surname Terstegen is a Germanic name, and it is most commonly found in that region of the world today. The surname peaked in popularity in Germany during the late 19th century, when it was the 246th most popular family name, before beginning to decline in the early 20th century.

The Netherlands is the country with the most people bearing the name, accounting for 0.00013% of the population or around 845 people. After that, it is mostly found in Germany, with over 500 people bearing the name. It is also present in Belgium, Denmark, and Austria, but in much smaller numbers.

In terms of emigration, Terstegen is most commonly found in the United States, as well as in Canada and Argentina. According to data from the 2000 US Census, around 1,500 people with this last name reside in the US. Nearly 1,000 of them come from Germany, with the majority from the East region, including the states of Saxony and Thuringia. In Canada, the surname is particularly concentrated in southwestern Ontario.

Therefore, today the surname Terstegen is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. It is relatively rare in other countries outside of Europe, though it is present in small numbers in Canada, Argentina, and elsewhere.

Variations of the surname Terstegen

The surname Terstegen has various forms and spellings across different cultures and countries, all of which are believed to have the same origin.

In English and other Anglo-Saxon countries, the surname is commonly spelled as Turstin or Tursting. In Germany, however, the surname is normally written as Terstegen. In Dutch, the surname is spelled as Terscheggen or Tersschingen. In Poland, the surname is commonly written as Turstyn.

Along with its many variants, the surname Terstegen also has several variations, such as the Dutch variant Tersteege, the Anglo-Saxon variant Turstain, and the Polish variant Turstyn.

In addition to its variants, the surname Terstegen also has several surnames related to it, such as Tertsegen, Tenstege, and Dratsegen, all of which have a similar origin to the original surname.

In short, the surname Terstegen has many forms and spellings, and is related to a few other surnames. Despite its many variations, all of them have a single origin.

Famous people with the name Terstegen

• Marc-André ter Stegen: Professional German footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Barcelona FC and the German National Football team.
• Johann Wilhelm Terstegen: German mathematician who was a professor of geology at the University of Marburg and made important contributions to the theory of probability.
• Rudolf Terstegen: Illustrator and lithographer of German origin who was best known for his cartoons and caricatures of famous people.
• Uwe Terstegen: German composer and recording artist who has composed music for film, television, and theater.
• Caja Thimm Terstegen: Danish architect and landscape architect who designed the Black Diamond, the Royal Library in Copenhagen, and the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.
• Karl Terstegen: German politician who was a member of the German Democratic Party and served as a deputy in the West German Bundestag.
• Christoph Terstegen: German lawyer and writer who was a member of the Rhineland Provincial Parliament and the Free Democratic Party of Germany.
• Rainer Terstegen: German writer and journalist whose literary works include novels, short stories, and non-fiction.
• German Terstegen: Spanish musician and vocalist who sings and plays guitar in the band THONG.
• David Terstegen: Dutch singer and song writer who released several albums and performed rock music with his band Terstegen.

Other surnames

TerstegeTerstegge