Surname Gest - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gest: What does the surname Gest mean?
The surname Gest is of Dutch origin. It's derived from the Middle Dutch word 'gheest', which translates to 'spirit' or 'ghost' in English. This nickname was likely given to someone believed to possess a spiritual quality or having a ghostly appearance. It might also be indicative of a person's profession such as a storyteller who shared ghost stories, as 'gest' also refers to a story or tale in Old English. Despite these theories, the exact origin of every surname can be complex and multi-faceted, influenced by various factors like region, occupation, and personal characteristics. Please note that surnames have evolved over centuries and may have multiple derivations and meanings across different cultures and regions.
Order DNA origin analysisGest: Where does the name Gest come from?
The surname Gest is believed to have originated from England, deriving from the Old Norse personal name 'Gestr', meaning 'guest' or 'stranger'. Its occurrences as a last name are believed to be a product of patronymic systems, which are based on the name of a male ancestor or occupation.
The name may have been awarded to a person who was considered to be a stranger or guest in a community, or it might be connected to the profession of innkeeping where individuals dealt with guests. It is worth noting that in the Middle Ages, guests and strangers were treated with ten times the respect they are today.
The name is not particularly common today but its highest concentration can still be found in England, specifically in the regions of Essex and London. There are also instances of people bearing the Gest surname in the United States, South Africa, and Canada. However, the numbers are so small they don't make these areas specifically noteworthy for the surname.
Sources also suggest that like many surnames that became hereditary in the Middle Ages, there are likely to be several unrelated founding bearers of the Gest surname. Thus, not all people named Gest are going to be related.
Variations of the surname Gest
The surname Gest has its origins in England. It is a patronymic surname, which is derived from the old British given name, "Geoff." The name Gest might also be a variant form of the ancient Germanic personal name "Geist," meaning spirit or ghost.
Several variations, spellings and similar surnames to Gest include Guest, Geste, Geist, Jest, Gist, and Guist. The name also has a diminutive form, Jess. In some cases, the name could be topographical (derived from geographical features of the landscape) or occupational (related to the profession or job of the first person who used the name), like the surname West, suggesting a linkage or distinction by the direction "West."
The surname can also occur in combinations such as West-Gest or Guest-West. Some people may choose to hyphenate the surname to keep their lineage or heritage identifiable. Additionally, surname variation can occur because of regional accents and phonetical spellings.
Often these variants were created to distinguish between several branches of a family or to change a family name that had fallen into disuse. On occasion, families may have also changed their names to match a more common spelling to fit in society. Remember, however, that the existence of a name variant does not necessary establishes a genealogical connection between all those who bear it.
Famous people with the name Gest
- David Gest: An American television personality and producer best known for his marriage to Liza Minnelli.
- Frederick Gest: An American architect who designed a number of large residences in Philadelphia.
- Caryn Elaine Johnson, known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg, was married to cinematographer David Claessen from 1986-1988 and took on his last name (her maiden name is Johnson). However, some online resources have mistakenly listed "Gest" as a former last name due to her friendship with David Gest. Please note that some resources may inaccurately list other celebrities with the surname "Gest". For example, singer Judy Garland and superstar Michael Jackson have been incorrectly linked with the surname due to their close personal relationships and professional ties with David Gest. Jackson was the best man at Gest's wedding to Minnelli, while Garland was Minnelli's mother. Despite these connections, neither Jackson nor Garland ever held the surname "Gest". As such, verifiable public figures with the surname "Gest" appears to be quite limited.