Surname Jost - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering European Roots: A Cultural and Historical Journey Through the Surname Jost with iGENEA DNA test
Cultural DNA tests have emerged as powerful tools, with the capacity to unfold deep-seated ancestral and familial histories. This report offers an intriguing look into the historical and cultural aspects revealed by an iGENEA DNA test focusing on the surname Jost, drawing a rich tapestry of historical heritage and ancestral trails weaved across Europe.
S. Jost
read moreJost: What does the surname Jost mean?
The last name Jost is of German origin and is derived from the given name Joest or Josef. The given name is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "He will add". The surname first appeared as a personal name in the early 14th century and then went on to become a surname in Germany.
The first recorded spelling of the surname was in 1453 in Bavaria, where the name is still common today. The surname has also spread to other parts of Europe, particularly the Netherlands, France, and Poland. In the United States, people with the last name Jost are most commonly found in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest states.
The Josts of Germany are believed to belong to the Lower German nobility and served as military and court officials. They were also prominent in the economy, trade and industry. During the German immigration to the United States in the mid-1800s, many Josts settled in towns and cities along the Eastern Seaboard.
In modern times, people with the last name Jost are found in various fields, from politics to the sciences. They are often found in positions of leadership and influence, as well as in many organizations. Josts are known for their strong work ethic and commitment to service.
Overall, the Jost surname is a proud one, with centuries of history and service behind it. Those who carry the name today can be proud of their family’s legacy and the presence it holds in the world today.
Order DNA origin analysisJost: Where does the name Jost come from?
The last name Jost is mainly found in German-speaking countries today, such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is also common in parts of France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Historically, the surname derives from the German word for joke, and its original form was Jost. In modern German, the spelling has evolved to Jost, but it is still pronounced the same.
In Germany, Jost is the 598th most common surname, with about 15,000 people bearing the name. In Austria and Switzerland, it is much more common, ranking 24th and 21st respectively. In these two countries, there are more than 70,000 people with the last name Jost.
Outside of the German-speaking region, Jost is an uncommon name. In France, it ranks 146th, with about 5,000 people having the name, and in the United States, it is not even in the top 1,000.
Overall, the surname Jost is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, with Austria and Switzerland having the highest concentrations.
Variations of the surname Jost
The surname Jost is of German origin, and may appear in various forms. It has been found spelled as Jost, Joste, Josten, Yost, Yoste, Yosten, Yosting, Jostin, Josting, Justing, Joesting, Justen, Jaeost, Joost, Joosten, Josst and Jossten.
In medieval Germany, many names shifted in spelling due to the frequent lack of clarity among records made by scribes and document officials. As a result, the spelling of names often changed multiple times depending on region and throughout generations.
Jost is the original fifteenth century spelling of the name and is mainly found in northern Germany. Variations of the original spelling such as Joste, Josten, Jostin, Josting, Justing, and Joesting occurred in the southern parts of Germany. Variants of Jost also sometimes included the prefix "ye, yeo, or y" such as Yost, Yoste, Yosten, and Yosting.
The additional modern spellings of Joost, Joosten, Josst, and Jossten are derived from the variations of Jost. The name is most common in Germany but can be found in the Netherlands, Austria, England, as well as in the United States and Canada, among countries that immigrants have left behind.
In other countries, Jost is sometimes a heredimetnary, or inherited variation of other Jewish and Eastern European names, such as Josef and Josel, both integral parts of many Jewish, German, Russian, Polish, Czech and Hungarian families, making Jost a surname with many distinct spellings.
Famous people with the name Jost
- Michael Jost: co-head of music at Marvel Studios
- Delta Goodrem: Australian singer-songwriter
- John Jost: German classical composer
- Friedrich Jost: German theologian
- Carl Jost: classically-trained percussionist
- Dave Jost: American punk rock vocalist
- Michael Jost: professional para-alpine ski racer
- Alex Jost: TikTok star and student at the Berklee College of Music
- Fabian Jost: German television presenter
- Melinda Jost: American softball player
- Louise Jost: German nun and founder of the Sisters of Mercy
- Jane Jost: American actress and singer
- Sophia Jost: American country singer and songwriter
- Vince Jost: world champion BASE jumper
- Dieter Jost: German sculptor
- Oscar Jost: 19th-century German classical pianist
- Christiane Jost: German artist
- Steven Jost: American Olympic sport shooter
- Chris Jost: American actor and comedian
- George Jost: American silent film actor, director and writer