Surname Pfister - Meaning and Origin
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Unearthing the Rich History and Cultural Relevance of 'Pfister' Through DNA Analysis
I undertook a captivating sojourn into my family history through the iGENEA DNA test. It revealed the cultural and historical lineage of my surname, Pfister, and its Germanic origins, linking to the proud tradition of baking. The test uncovered a familial past steeped in the important socio-economic role of communal bread baking, while also--surprisingly--pointing to an intersection with significant eras in Western European history.
H. Pfister
read morePfister: What does the surname Pfister mean?
The last name Pfister is of German origin and it means "baker." The name is derived from "Pfisterer," and it was originally an occupational surname given to individuals who baked bread or pastries. The name can be traced back to the middle High German term "pfister," which roughly translates to "baker." Pfister is a common surname in Germany and parts of Switzerland. It is also present among people of German descent living in various parts of the world. Like many other surnames, over time, Pfister has become a name passed down from generation to generation, irrespective of the individual's profession.
Order DNA origin analysisPfister: Where does the name Pfister come from?
The surname Pfister is a German occupational surname derived from the Middle High German term “Pfister,” meaning “baker.” It is most common in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, where it ranked among the top 50 surnames at the turn of the twenty-first century. The name is also found in other countries throughout the world, but its frequency is much lower than in its countries of origin.
In the United States, Pfister ranked among the top 1,000 surnames as recently as 2015, but its frequency has been declining since that time. In Australia, Pfister was among the top 1,000 surnames listed in the Electoral Roll in 2019.
The surname PFISTER had its highest presence in Switzerland in 2019. Switzerland had 1,645 bearers of this last name, making it the 80th most popular surname in the country. It was also the 48th most popular surname in Germany and the 63rd most popular surname in Austria.
Within the UK, Pfister was among the top 1,000 surnames listed according to the 2019 Electoral Roll, with 378 bearers of the name. It is also common in countries such as France, Spain, and Canada.
In short, the surname Pfister is common today in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Australia, and Canada. Its frequency is lowest in the United States.
Variations of the surname Pfister
The surname Pfister is of Germanic origin and is used in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. It is derived from the Latin word "pistoriarus," which means “baker.” Variants of the surname Pfister include Fitser, Pfeister, Pfeisterle, Pfisterer, and Pfisterer. There are many alternate spellings of the surname Pfister such as Fister, Pister, Peister, Pisterle, Pfeister, Peasterer, Piasterer, and Pfeasterer.
The surname is derived from an occupational name and was most likely used to refer to someone who operated a bakery or made bread. It is common practice for surnames to evolve over time, and that is why there are so many alternative spellings of the surname Pfister.
In the United States, the surname Pfister can be found in various forms in states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. In Pennsylvania, the surname Pfister is usually spelled with the German spelling Pfeister. In New Jersey, the surname is often spelled with a Y-ending. In Wisconsin, the surname is easily mispronounced as Peister or Pester in some areas.
The surname Pfister is also part of many anglicized forms of European surnames, such as Festerling and Foister. It is also found in some German variant surnames, such as Pfisterer. Additionally, Pfister is often found in Dutch and Swedish surnames, such as Pfisterson and Pittsjö.
In conclusion, the surname Pfister has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants include Fitser, Pfeister, Pfeisterle, Pfisterer, and Pfisterer. There are many anglicized forms of the surname, such as Festerling and Foister and German variants, such as Pfisterer. In the United States, the surname is usually found in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. Additionally, the surname is found in Dutch and Swedish surnames, such as Pfisterson and Pittsjö.
Famous people with the name Pfister
- Max Pfister: Swiss actor who stars in popular films such as ‘’Der Name der Rose’’ and ‘’Das Boot’’.
- Norbert Pfister: German footballer who has been capped for the national team and previously played for clubs such as Borussia Dortmund.
- Kirsten Pfister: German actress who has starred in film, television, and theatre.
- Paul Pfister: German actor and voice actor who has appeared in numerous films and television series.
- Samuel Pfister: Swiss footballer who currently plays for FC Schaffhausen.
- Fred Pfister: American actor and stuntman well known for his roles in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
- Michael Pfister: Austrian football coach who has managed a variety of clubs around Austria and Europe.
- Jason Pfister: American film producer who has worked on projects such as The Social Network, BlacKkKlansman, and John Wick.
- Jack Pfister: British actor, writer, and producer who won an International Emmy for his role in the TV series ‘’Bo’’.
- Celine Pfister: Swiss-French actress who has appeared in numerous films and television series, including 'The Intouchables' and 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly'.