Surname Phimister - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Phimister: What does the surname Phimister mean?
The surname "Phimister" is Scottish in origin, relating it to the geographic and historical context of Scotland. The exact meaning is not entirely understood and may have changed or evolved significantly over the centuries.
Many argue that it could be an occupational name. In medieval times, one way people were identified was through their profession so the name might be linked to a specific trade or role. The Old Scots word "phim" refers to a pipe or flute, so one possible interpretation could be a pipe or flute maker or player.
However, it is hard to determine the accurate interpretation as last names are influenced by many factors including occupation, location, characteristics or even the patron's name. Also, translations are prone to alterations due to language evolution and regional dialects. Thus, any interpretation should be taken as a probable theory instead of an exact meaning. The knowledge of the name’s origin can be deepened by further genealogical research.
Order DNA origin analysisPhimister: Where does the name Phimister come from?
The last name Phimister is most commonly found today in Scotland. It is a habitational name derived from the part of Scotland called Fyvie, which is located in the historical county of Aberdeenshire. The name Phimister originates from the Gaelic “fear-ma-ostair,” translating to “man of the hostelry.” In medieval Scotland, an ostair was an inn or hostelry usually located at or near a church.
In the 19th century, records of the Phimister surname first appear in the Aberdeen Burghs, in a deed dated 1714. Research has revealed that the Phimister surname is most commonly found in the Aberdeenshire area, which includes the cities of Aberdeen and Fraserburgh, though it can be found throughout other parts of Scotland such as Edinburgh, Dumbarton, and Glasgow.
The Phimister name has also spread to other parts of the world. A group of Phimisters emigrated to Bogalusa, Louisiana in the United States during the 19th century and can still be found there today. Additionally, the name can be seen in parts of England, Canada, Northern Ireland, and Australia.
In Scotland, the name is still quite common with many living in Aberdeen area, though it has become less so in other places.
Variations of the surname Phimister
The surname Phimister is an uncommon Scottish patronymic surname. It originated in the Scottish Highlands during the Middle Ages and could have been derived from the Old Norse personal name 'Femundr' - which translates to 'bold protector', or the Gaelic name 'Fearcha'.
Variations of the name Phimister include Phimister, Fimister, femister, Femmister, Fymister, Phumister, Phemister, Femester, Phemzer and Fremyster. It is also sometimes seen spelled with a 'V' instead of a 'P', making it Vhimister.
Related to the Phimister name expanded are other variant spellings such as Phimister-Mutch, Phimister-Mathewson, Fimister-Thomson, Femmister-Scrimgeour, Fremyster-Gordonson, and Phimister-Ross to name a few.
The Phimister surname can also be found being used interchangeably in some cases with its other Scottish variants such as Fimister, Femister and Fymister.
Depending on the region in which the surname is found, some of the variation spellings listed above may also take on spelling variations of their own due to local pronunciation or orthography. For example, Phemister could be pronounced ‘Femister’, leading to the spelling variation.
The Phimister surname is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the surrounding farming districts and fishing villages of the Highlands. It is a rare surname, however, it is sometimes still found in parts of the UK, Australia, Canada and the United States.
Famous people with the name Phimister
- Roderick Phimister: a Scottish research physicist and NASA scientist who was integral in a variety of space missions.
- Sir William Phimister: a co-founder of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Richard Phimister: the first zoo director of Scottish National Zoo.
- Waldo Phimister: the Canadian high jumper who competed in the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Olympic Games during the 1950s.
- John Phimister: the Scottish entrepreneur and founder of John Phimister & Co, a business which became the leading supplier of Scottish agricultural machinery.
- John Matt Phimister: an artist known for his oil painting and engravings.
- Anna Phimister: a Canadian female entrepreneur and co-founder of Jala Clothing, a brand of yoga and activewear.
- David Phimister: a prominent British astronomic and astrophysicist and programme leader at Sussex University.
- James Robertson Phimister: a painter, engraver, poet, and philanthropist.
- Chris Phimister: an American professional skateboarder.