Surname Wast - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wast: What does the surname Wast mean?
The surname Wast is not very common and it's often difficult to determine its exact meaning without specific cultural or geographic context. However, it appears to primarily originate from Scandinavian countries particularly Norway and Sweden. The name could potentially refer to a location where an ancestor once lived or hailed from. It might also be derived from an old profession or trade. In some regions 'Wast' might be a variation of 'West', which could indicate that the original bearers of the name resided or originated from the West. However, without newer or more specific research, it’s challenging to provide a definitive meaning. Surnames can often change spelling and pronunciation over centuries and may be influenced by many factors such as migration and regional dialects. More personalized data such as family history and genealogical information would aid in a more precise interpretation of the surname 'Wast'.
Order DNA origin analysisWast: Where does the name Wast come from?
The last name Wast is found in many parts of the world. It is particularly common in Europe, where it has a long history that goes back centuries.
In Germany, the last name is especially common in the states of Lower Saxony and Hesse. Recent records from 2015 indicate that almost 20,000 people in Germany had the last name Wast.
The last name Wast is also found in many other countries in Europe, although its prevalence varies from place to place. It appears with some frequency in Belgium, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
The Wast surname is also found in other parts of the world. In the United States, it is especially common in the Midwestern states of Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In Canada, ancestors of the Wast name settled mainly in western provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
It is also found in Australia, where it has been present since the 1800s. Today, it is especially common in the state of Queensland.
Finally, the last name Wast is also found in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and many other countries in South America. It has a long history in many countries on this continent, and its prevalence today is testament to that.
Variations of the surname Wast
The surname Wast (or Wastte) is of French origin. It appears to be derived from the word Wast, which was an old French word meaning “dry land” or “stubble.” The variations of the Wast surname include Wast, Wastte, Wastes, West, Weste, Westes, and Wust. It is also possible that the surname is an Americanized version of the German surname Wust.
The Wast surname is quite rare. Most people with this name can trace their ancestry to France. In the 14th century, the Wast family of Brabant owned considerable property in France, and many of its members were prominent in French society. In addition, some members of the family moved to England during the 17th century, and in England, the name was often spelled Wost or West.
In America, the Wast name is often Anglicized to West. There have been many people bearing the West name who have emigrated to the colonies or the United States, and it’s likely that many of them originated from the Wast family.
Today, Wast is an uncommon surname in America, though there are still many people of that descent. In addition, many of the Wast family members have intermarried with other families, so there are many people of Wast ancestry with other last names.
Famous people with the name Wast
- Philip Wast: digital artist known for his works based on Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
- Max Wast: Emmy-nominated British film composer
- Jean Wast: French opera singer
- Cass Wast: Swedish-born actress of stage and screen
- Severin Wast: Austrian children's book author
- Lionel Wast: Australian-born potter
- William Wast: English poet of the 16th century
- Wilfred Wast: British artilleryman during the First World War
- Alfons Wast: 19th century German historical painter
- Yves Wast: Belgian-born mime artist
- Francoise Wast: French soprano from the late 19th century
- Nathalie Wast: French fashion designer in the 1960s and 1970s
- Gerard Wast: Dutch landscape painter of the 16th century
- Henri Wast: 20th century French sculptor
- Balthazar Wast: Dutch biologist in the 19th century
- Jeanne Wast: French-born suffragette
- Robert Wast: English composer of the 17th century
- James Wast: Canadian artist of the 19th century