Surname von Karstedt - Meaning and Origin
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von Karstedt: What does the surname von Karstedt mean?
Von Karstedt is a German noble surname derived from the words ‘von’ and ‘Karstedt’. The ‘von’ prefix, meaning ‘from’ or ‘of’, typically denotes aristocratic origin and is most commonly associated with the pre-1918 German nobility. The origin of the second part of the name, Karstedt, is not entirely clear but the first documented use of the name originates from the cities of Lüneburg and Uelzen in Lower Saxony during the 15th Century. It is thought to mean ‘marsh settlement’ and would have referred to an area of marshland owned by the noble family. This is due to the common suffix ‘stedt’ meaning ‘settlement’ or ‘town’ in old High German.
Today, Von Karstedt is still widely used across Germany, especially in the states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. In 2012, it was the 8,931st most common surname in Germany with around 1,400 people registered as using the name.
The use of the Von Karstedt signifies nobility, loyalty, and long-established wealth in German culture. It represents a privileged lifestyle, with the prefix being spun from generations of aristocratic ancestors. Those who carry the Von Karstedt surname are perceived as having high-standing in German society and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Karstedt: Where does the name von Karstedt come from?
The surname von Karstedt is most common today in Germany. Historically, it was a noble name with noble roots from the northern region of Germany. It was originally adopted by Saxon nobility who understood the power and prestige associated with the name, and began using it for their descendants. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the advisors to the ruling court of the Elector of Brandenburg adopted this name, as did many members of the Prussian elite.
Today, von Karstedt is the most common form of the name in Germany, where there are around 5,000 carriers of the surname. It is also seen in parts of Austria and Czech Republic, where the name spread from Prussia. In the United States, the name has a long history of immigration that dates back to the 19th century. As of 2018, there are around 400 carriers of the surname in the US.
Within Germany, von Karstedt is most common in the states of Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen, Sachsen, and Hessen. In Austria, the most common states include Oberösterreich and Niederösterreich. The Czech Republic sees the name in locations somewhat south of the Saxon border, including Moravia and Bohemia.
For the most part, regardless of which region von Karstedt is seen in, it is quite rare. While there is a long history of the name, the amount of people who use it today is generally low. It continues to be a name associated with wealth and power, although fewer people than ever now carry it.
Variations of the surname von Karstedt
The surname von Karstedt is an old German family name that comes from the region of Northern Germany near Mecklenburg. It has been present in that region since the 12th century. It has been documented in multiple spellings and variations throughout history, including Karset, von Kisten, Caerset, Karsetter, Karseten, and Karstetter.
The name was originally spelled as “Karstede” or “Karstede von Mecklenburg” before the development of standardized German spelling in the 19th century. It is possible that the name was a shortening of “Karstede von Mecklenburg” or “Karsteder” or “Karstetter” in the past. The spelling has changed over time to Karstedt, Karset, and Karsetter in some areas, and to Carstedt, Kisten, and Caerset in others.
Variants of the name can also be found in other countries. For example, in Denmark additional variants include Fridlev von Karstadt and Kaerstruid von Karstadt. In Switzerland, the related name Carstens is also found.
In the United States, in the late 1800s, immigrants with the surname “von Karstedt” changed their name to Karset, Karsetter, Kisten, and Karstater. The Karset spelling is most common in the U.S., along with similar surnames Karsate, Karsater, Karsatin and Karstatt.
The von Karstedt family is likely of an aristocratic origin, but their exact relationship to other noble German families remains uncertain. It is likely that the family has experienced multiple generations in the same line since the 12th century.
Famous people with the name von Karstedt
- Elisabeth von Karstedt, German politician
- Charles von Karstedt, doctor, researcher, and entrepreneur
- Gustav von Karstedt, German author
- Sofia von Karstedt-Forchtenberg, Countess of Oettingen-Wallerstein
- Joachim von Karstedt, German ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Georg von Karstedt, Prussian nobleman
- Justus von Karstedt, Prussian colonel
- Heinrich von Karstedt, Prussian general
- Eberhard von Karstedt, Prussian lieutenant-colonel
- Wilhelm von Karstedt, Grand Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
- Freiherr Alexander von Karstedt, Prussian baron
- Ludwig von Karstedt, Prussian Lieutenant
- Georg Heinrich Von Karstedt, Prussian Major-General
- Charles John Von Karstedt, Prussian Minister Plenipotentiary
- Pauline von Karstedt, Bavarian courtier
- Ivan Vasilevich von Karstedt, Russian Major-General of Infantry