Surname Kerstein - Meaning and Origin
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Kerstein: What does the surname Kerstein mean?
The last name Kerstein is a Jewish surname with German-Jewish origins. It is derived from the word ker, which means stone in both Yiddish and German. The suffix -stein indicates a diminutive form of the word, or a small stone.
The surname Kerstein was likely a name taken by an individual or family, as a way of distinguishing themselves from others. It could mean that the original bearer of the name had a profession of stone-cutting or stone-crafting, or perhaps had come from a place whose name included the word ‘stone’.
The surname may also be related to the traditional Jewish first name Shebar, which means ‘stone’, suggesting that Kerstein was an adopted surname that was chosen to reflect the family’s Jewish heritage.
Kerstein is often found in the records of both German and Jewish ancestry, although it is possible that some bearers of the name may have been of Slavic or other non-German origins.
Today, the surname Kerstein is mainly found in North America, particularly in the United States, where it is most commonly found in Jewish families of German-Jewish descent.
Order DNA origin analysisKerstein: Where does the name Kerstein come from?
The last name Kerstein has been around for centuries and exists in many different locations across the world today. It is most commonly found in Europe, with some of the highest concentration in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland. In Germany, the name is especially associated with the Mid-Franconian states, where it is estimated to be the tenth most popular surname.
In the United States, the Kerstein surname is most prominent in states such as New York, California, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, as many immigrants of Jewish and German origins placed roots in these states. It is estimated that there are over 8,000 individuals with the last name living in America today.
Outside of Europe and the United States, the last name is much less common. However, there are still individuals living in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and South Africa who have maintained the Kerstein surname.
In general, this last name is one of a long history, recognized across the world and still prevalent today in many parts of the globe.
Variations of the surname Kerstein
The surname Kerstein is of Germanic origin and dates back to medieval times. It is found in many different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin.
The primary spelling of Kerstein is Körtig, which is derived from the surname “Kortig”, meaning “one who prefers wickerwork” or “knotty”. This spelling is also found in Sweden, Hungary, and Poland.
Other spellings include Kersteiner, Kurzsteiner, Kortzner, Cortenez, Cortenstein, Cortenquist, Cortizner, and Curzinger. All of these names are variations of the surname Kortig.
Cortizner and Curzinger are two different forms of the same name, and their origins go back to medieval Germany. Cortizner refers to someone who lived or worked around a court or noble house, and Curzinger is derived from the word “kurze”, meaning “short” or “one who is quick with his hands”.
Kerstein is also known to be a Sephardic Jewish surname, probably derived from the Castilian Spanish version of the name Kortig.
Other surnames of the same origin are Kartenter, Karsteter, Kartetter, Kortztetter, Kortzter, Kortzteinger, Kerstetter, Kerstetter, and Krattetter.
In addition to these variants and forms, some other common spellings of the surname Kerstein include Karchsteiner, Kersten, Kstersteiner, Kersteiner, Kertsteiner, Kertstein, Karnstetter, Kortenstetter, Kortenger, Kortenberger, and Karstenger.
Regardless of the variant or spelling, the surname Kerstein is an important part of German history and culture.
Famous people with the name Kerstein
- John Kerstein: Former President of Fox Television Studios, a division of 20th Century Fox television
- Jennifer Kerstein: Author of the children's book, “Dream Big with the Little Red Hen”
- Michael Kerstein: Pharmaceutical executive
- Linda Kerstein: President of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
- Melvyn Kerstein: Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Molecular Biology at Boston University School of Medicine
- Daniel Kerstein: American actor
- Jon Kerstein: Professional percussionist with numerous film credits
- Marc Kerstein: Senior vice president of Strategy and Corporate Development at AMC Networks
- Michael Kerstein: Former president of the International Amateur Radio Union