Surname Feaster - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Feaster: What does the surname Feaster mean?
The surname Feaster is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have derived from the term "fester", which translates to 'feast maker' in Old English. This name was likely originally given as an occupational surname to individuals who were in charge of organizing festival events or feasts in a noble or royal household in medieval times. As per the tradition of the period, surnames were often adopted from a person’s occupation or the jobs they performed. The surname Feaster carries a jovial and lively connotation, associating its bearers with joyous events and celebrations. It was first found in Yorkshire, England, where the earliest records of the name were found. Like many other surnames, various spellings may be found, such as Feister, Festor, and others.
Order DNA origin analysisFeaster: Where does the name Feaster come from?
The last name Feaster is most commonly found in the United States, where it is particularly concentrated in the South and Northeast. In particular, the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina have the highest concentrations of the last name with Feaster families scattered throughout.
The origin of the last name Feaster is believed to be of English origins deriving from the English word 'fester' which means to torture or torment, or the Old High German word 'festar' that means to feast. This could suggest that the name originated from a family of individuals who enjoyed feasting, or alternatively from a family with a particularly harsh reputation.
In the United States the Feaster name is known to have been in existence since the Revolutionary War time period with Christopher Feaster recorded as joining the War of the Revolutionary forces in 1777 in North Carolina.
So, to this day, the Feaster name is still found throughout the United States, particularly in states with large German populations such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. It is believed to have arrived in the US centuries ago with the first waves of European migrants, and achieved widespread distribution.
Variations of the surname Feaster
The surname Feaster is of English origin and is believed to be a variation of the ancient Anglo-Saxon first name Fastier, which was derived from the Middle English and Old German words 'faster' or 'fester', meaning fast or strong. The spelling of the name is thought to have changed over the centuries, leading to variants such as Feaster, Fester, Festus, Fosters and even Foster.
Feaster is the most common spelling of this surname, but when tracing the name back into documents from centuries past, variations in the spelling are often found. Some of these variations include Fester,Fastier, Faester, Festery, Festus and Fastner. The variant spellings for Feaster are also sometimes seen as Festor, Fackster, Farrow and Fawster.
In addition to the various spellings of the name, there are also several surnames derived from the original word "Fastier" which could all be related to the Feaster surname. These surnames include Fairster, Fasten, Faherty, Fesey, Fazey and Faison. Similarly, there are also derivative versions of the spelling "Feaster" which include: Feister, Feayster, Feister, Feyster, Feisler, Feaaster and Feystor.
The Feaster surname is not a particularly common one, with its variants and derivatives being used throughout the centuries, primarily in England, the USA and Canada, as well as Ireland and Scotland.
Famous people with the name Feaster
- Desiree Feaster: a former professional basketball player in the WNBA.
- Charles Feaster: former NFL running back, most notably playing for the San Diego Chargers from 1995 until 1997.
- John Feaster: former NFL cornerback who played for the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Carolina Panthers from 2001 to 2005.
- Matt Feaster: keyboard player and composer best known for his work with the American R&B band Naked Eyes.
- Jonathan Feaster: former NFL free safety who played four seasons for the Detroit Lions from 1995 to 1998.
- Judy Feaster: former NCAA track and field athlete who competed in the long jump event and won two NCAA outdoor championships in 1991 and 1992.
- C.J. Feaster: former professional basketball player who played for the Women's National Basketball Association's (WNBA) Atlanta Dream.
- Jonah Feaster: current linebacker for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.
- Robert Feaster: former professional basketball player in the American Basketball Association.
- Russell Feaster: American football defensive back who played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1983 to 1987.