Surname Paster - Meaning and Origin

Paster: What does the surname Paster mean?

The last name Paster is of Germanic and Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is derived from the old German and Hebrew term 'paster', meaning 'scraper' or 'shoveler'. In early Germanic societies, the term was used to refer to someone who worked as a sifter of grain, while in Jewish communities it was given to individuals who worked with their hands in some capacity.

The surname Paster likely began to be used around the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly in areas of modern day Germany, Austria, and Poland. From here, it became widespread across Eastern Europe, and even further afield as people immigrated to different regions.

Throughout history, the Paster surname may have influenced other variations from the original Germanic form, such as Pastor, Pastertz, and Pastraf, which are all likely derived from the same source.

Today, the Paster surname can be found throughout many parts of Europe, as well as in the United States, where descendants of immigrants with the name can still be found. It continues to be an uncommon surname, but is part of a greater tradition that has helped shape history in unique and interesting ways.

Paster: Where does the name Paster come from?

The last name Paster is a Russian Jewish surname that is most common in Israel today. It originated in the late 18th century and spread throughout the former Russian Empire and the former Soviet Union. It is fairly rare outside of those areas.

In Israel, the Paster surname is associated with the Ashkenazi Jewish community, which has its roots in Eastern Europe. The first members of this community to arrive in Israel were mostly from Russia and Ukraine. As a result, the Paster surname is more prevalent among Hebrew-speaking communities in these regions, as well as in other parts of Israel where Jewish residents descend from the same Ashkenazi ancestry.

The surname is also quite common in the United States among American Jews, with nearly 9,000 people bearing the name in 2019 according to the US Census. It is the 524th most common surname in the population overall. Among the states with the highest number of Paster families are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

Overall, the last name Paster is much more common in Israel today than anywhere else. However, it is also frequently found among the Ashkenazi diaspora in the United States, especially in states with large Jewish populations.

Variations of the surname Paster

Paster is an unusual surname, and one that has seen slight variations in spelling over the years and across the globe.

The most common variant of this surname is Pastor. This is quite common among Spanish families, especially in the regions of Spain where Catalan is spoken. It can also be found in Italy and Portugal. Other common variants of the surname Paster include Pastór, Petser, and Pastoris (the latter being common in Italy).

In the United States, one may come across variant spellings of Paster such as Pastur, Pastoris, Pestor, and Pastour (the latter being common among German immigrants to the US).

The surnames Pasteur, Pastore, and Pastori are also derived from the same root as Paster. These are more commonly found in French-speaking countries, and in particular amongst families hailing from France.

In England, variants of the Paster surname include Pasture, Paston, and Poston. These English variants of the surname were likely derived from the word ‘pastour’ or ‘pastor’ of Old English.

The surname Paster is not a very common one, but there are a range of variant spellings of the same root that can be found throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Paster

• Winifred Paster: former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
• Joseph Paster: American Administrator at the Department of Homeland Security
• Nathan Paster: American music producer and composer
• Emmett Paster: American physicist
• Mel Paster: American stand-up comedian, movie producer, TV personality
• Catharine Paster: American poet
• Kristin Paster: American TV and film actress
• Polly Paster: American baseball player
• Elizabeth Paster: American philanthropist
• Bronwyn Paster: American musician
• Rebecca Paster: American lawyer
• Tanya Paster: American architect
• Avram Paster: Israeli mathematician
• Billy Paster: American football player
• Seymour Paster: State Supreme Court Justice of New Jersey
• Yammi Paster: Israeli rabbi and author
• Quinton Paster: American professional basketball player
• Ines Paster: Austrian actress
• Tom Paster: American Olympian track and field athlete
• Kayla Paster: American scientific researcher

Other surnames

Pastel