Surname Küstner - Meaning and Origin
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Küstner: What does the surname Küstner mean?
The last name Küstner is of German or Danish origin, and is derived from the Latin word "coquus," meaning "cook." It was first used as an occupational name for a person who worked as a cooking in some capacity. Originally spelled Kochestner, the name was altered over the course of time to form Küstner.
The Küstner surname is thought to have originated from the heart of Germany, with its use first recorded in the late 14th century. This means that this surname could actually be of either Danish or German origin.
In modern times, Küstner can be found all throughout Germany and Denmark. It is believed that there are thousands of people throughout the world who bear this surname.
Küstner is often translated as meaning "cook" in English, although the spelling may have changed over the centuries. This is an important distinction to make, as Küstner is an Anglicized version of the original German name.
The history and meaning of the last name Küstner is as fascinating as it is complex. Trace the history of this surname and you will find the roots of an invaluable German and Danish legacy stretching far back into time.
Order DNA origin analysisKüstner: Where does the name Küstner come from?
The last name Küstner is most commonly found today in the German-speaking countries of Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in other countries in Europe, particularly in former East German states, and in smaller numbers in other parts of the world.
In Germany, the name Küstner is particularly prevalent in the states of Berlin and Brandenburg. It is the 41st most common last name in Berlin and the 21st most common in Brandenburg. In fact, the frequency of the name is so high in certain parts of eastern Germany by the Oder River that it is sometimes affectionately referred to as "Küstner-land".
In Austria, Küstner is the 206th most common last name. It is more often used in the southern region of the country, particularly around the city of Salzburg.
The Küstner surname is less common in Switzerland, where it ranks 382nd. However, it can still be found in many areas like Zürich, Basel, and Geneva.
Globally, the name Küstner is particularly popular with German expatriates across Europe and North America. It has also become more widely dispersed due to people with the name emigrating to other countries in search of different cultural and economic opportunities.
Variations of the surname Küstner
Küstner is an old German surname of uncertain origins, but some variants and spellings include Kustner, Kustener, Kütener, Küstener, Kuestner, Kustnar, Custner, and Küstnaer. All of these spellings and variants have the same origin despite some obvious differences.
The most common spelling of Küstner remains unchanged throughout many centuries and is still found in Germany today. There is also evidence of the name appearing in other countries, including the United States. Here, many of the spellings have since been "Americanized" or changed to other forms.
The earliest record of this surname in Germany is from the 1500s. The name derives from the German for "customer" and appears to signify an individual who dealt with people or goods by custom, making them an ideal choice for merchants and traders.
As the surname spread across Germany and other European countries, it began to take on regional spellings and variants. For example, in the Netherlands it appears as Kustenaer. It is believed that the name also spread from Germany to Prussia and other eastern European countries, where more regional differences began to appear.
Küstner has also been used as a given name, and is sometimes spelled Kustner or Custner. This type of variant of the surname is very common and appears in many records and documents from the United States.
In conclusion, the Küstner surname is an old German name, with variants spelling and surnames stemming from its original form. Its root word is "customer" and it appears to signify an individual who dealt with trading or people through the custom system. Over time, regional and Americanized variants began to emerge, and the surname is still found in Germany and other countries today.
Famous people with the name Küstner
- Friederike Küstner (1894-1944): German film and theater actress
- Erich Küstner (1899–1974): German writer, poet and illustrator
- Kurt Küstner (1896–1936): German film actor
- Günther Küstner (1897–1984): German actor and film director
- Max Küstner (1903–1985): German screenwriter and film director
- Martin Küstner (1862–1945): German naturalist
- Christian Küstner (1793–1866): German botanist
- Michael Küstner (1617–1683): German merchant and founder of the city of Kremmen
- Susanne Küstner (1796–1864): German educator and reformer
- Johanna Kühn (b. 1975): German writer and publisher