Surname Josting - Meaning and Origin
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Josting: What does the surname Josting mean?
The last name Josting is of German origin and is derived from the Middle Low German word “josten,” meaning “to joust” or “to compete.” This name likely originated with people who participated in some form of jousting competition. In Germany, there were several types of jousting, both on foot and on horseback. Each type of competition required its own corresponding set of skills and techniques.
Throughout German history, there have also been rows and fights between noble families, as well as between local families and citizens, during which jousting competition was used to settle disputes. Josting was mostly associated with a high degree of skill and bravery and was a respected pastime for the affluent social classes. During the 16th century, executing a successful jousting maneuver was a sign of chivalry and personal honor.
Today, the last name Josting symbolizes a long-held tradition of competitive success as well as the importance of sportsmanship. It carries with it a legacy of respect and admiration for those whose skills and courage have earned them the honor of achieving success in the face of competition.
Order DNA origin analysisJosting: Where does the name Josting come from?
The last name Josting is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in western and northern Germany. It is thought to have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a hill or outcropping of rocks. It is also a phonetically derived variation of the German name Justingen, which is itself derived from the Latin "Justus," meaning "just".
Josting has been a surname since the 15th century, when the spelling was first recorded. Over the centuries, as families moved and spread across Europe, variants of the name also arose in countries such as the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
In Germany itself, the Josting name is most common in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. In the USA, Josting is among the top 5,000 surnames, particularly in the Midwest. It is also seen in some areas of South America, especially Brazil and Argentina. Interestingly, one of the first and most famous to bear the Josting name, Diederik Josting, emigrated to the Dutch colony in Brazil in the 17th century.
Variations of the surname Josting
The surname Josting is derived from the medieval German personal name ‘Jost’, a diminutive form of ‘Johannes’, the Latin form of ‘John’. It is an occupational name, referring to a 'Joister', an old term used for a horse groomer or farrier.
Variations of the name Josting include: Josten, Joesting, Yosting, Josging, Jostink, Jostmann and Yoesting.
Surnames derived from the same origin as Josting include: Justen, Jost, Joost, Josten, Justmann, Joosten, Josling, Jostling, Jostin, Jostman, Yost, Yosten, Yoosten, Yosting, Joslin, Yostman and Yosting.
In Germany, some of the Josting surname bearers may have originated in the Lower Rhine region, which encompasses regions of western Germany, eastern Belgium, and the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, the variations of the Josting surname include: Joesten, Josten, Josling and Joestinck.
In the United States and Canada, some of the Josting surname bearers descend from the German settlers who settled in towns and cities such as Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Ontario, and other parts of the Midwest in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Many individuals with the surname Josting also have a Dutch origin. Examples of Dutch surnames reflecting the same origin as the Josting surname include: Joosten, Josten, Josting, Josling and Justen.
In the Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden and Norway, the surnames derived from the same origin as Josting include: Justing and Ysting.
Famous people with the name Josting
- Vince Josting: Former professional American football player.
- Ann Josting: American children’s book author.
- Fred Josting: A former college basketball and assistant coach of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
- Peter Josting: A German football manager.
- Chris Josting: Former professional American football player.
- Sireen Josting: Lead singer of the American metalcore band, Unwill.
- Joe Josting: American professional golfer.
- Mary Josting: American educator and author.
- Todd Josting: Former National Football League and Canadian Football League football player.
- Thom Josting: American television producer.