Surname Coster - Meaning and Origin
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Coster: What does the surname Coster mean?
The surname Coster is of occupational origin, deriving from the Old French term "coster", which means "rib". However, in a broader context, it was used to refer to a maker of chests, caskets, or boxes, essentially a craftsman in wooden articles. Over time, this term was adopted as a surname by those who held this profession. This practice of adopting occupational names was common in Europe during the Middle Ages. Surnames served as a practical method of identifying individuals in a growing population where there were often many people with the same first name. There may also be several variants of this surname, such as Coster, Cousturier, costurier, Costere, and more, depending on the geographical location and local dialects. It's important to remember that while this is a general interpretation of the name, individual family histories and origins may vary.
Order DNA origin analysisCoster: Where does the name Coster come from?
The surname Coster is of Anglo-Saxon origin, specifically from the territories that constitute present-day Britain. The name is an occupational one derived from the Old French term "coster," which translates to "costermonger" or a "seller of fruits and vegetables," suggesting that the ancestors with this surname may have engaged in such occupations.
Coster is considered relatively uncommon globally. However, it can be found in higher concentrations in certain regions. In contemporary times, this surname is quite prevalent in The Netherlands, indicating substantial Dutch heritage in the families bearing this name. In recent years, due to global mobility, family ties, and historical immigration patterns, the name has spread to various English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia but still remains scarce. It is essential to note though, that the distribution of a surname can change over time due to various socio-economic reasons.
Variations of the surname Coster
The surname Coster pertains to the typically Dutch nickname for a native or resident of Koester in East Flanders. As a result of historical migrations, regional variations and foreign influences, it has evolved into different forms over time.
The surname Coster can be found with various spellings including Koester, Coester, Koster, Koestner, Kuster, and Custer. These variants also transcribe the regional dialects and phonetic transliterations of the name. In German-speaking regions, the name may also appear as Köster or Küster, incorporating the umlaut found in the German language.
Further variations may include Costers, Costere, Costar, Kosters, and Koosters, often adopted to signify family lineage.
Similar derivatives based on occupation include Koster, which implies a sexton or church officer in the middle Dutch language, and Coster, which is used for a fruit vendor or costermonger in Old French.
The geographical dispersal of these surnames is also quite spread out, with a significant presence in the Netherlands, Germany, and countries with historical Dutch and German immigration, such as the United States, Canada, and South Africa. This dispersal likely perpetuated the generation of various spelings and surnames of the same origin as Coster.
Famous people with the name Coster
- Charles de Coster: A Belgian author, best known for his novel "The Legend of Thyl Ulenspiegel and Lamme Goedzak"
- Walter de Coster: A Belgian cyclist who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
- Laurens de Coster: Claimed by some to be the inventor of the printing press before Johannes Gutenberg.
- Camille De Coster: She is a Belgian politician and a member of the Democratic Federalist Independent.
- Nicolas de Coster: A Belgian lawyer who served as the tenth Prime Minister of Belgium.
- Thierry De Coster: A Belgian artist known for his visual art.
- Didier De Coster: He is a Belgian footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
- Stefaan De Coster: A Belgian business executive.
- Nicolas Coster: A British-American actor best known for his work in daytime drama and as a character actor on nighttime television series.
- Wim De Coster: A retired Belgian footballer.
- Guy De Coster: A Belgian architect.
- Martine De Coster: A notable Belgian lawyer.
- Simon De Coster: A popular Belgian radio presenter.
- Johan de Coster: A Belgian professional footballer.
- Laurence De Coster: A Belgian actress known for her roles in French cinema.
- Christophe De Coster: A Belgian DJ and member of the electronic music duo Mumbai Science.