Surname Festerling - Meaning and Origin
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Festerling: What does the surname Festerling mean?
The last name Festerling is a German surname originating from the Middle Ages, alongside numerous other surnames derived from the same root. It is derived from the word "fester," which is a noun and adjective derived from the Germanic language and means "rot" or "rotten." Over time, the use of the surname evolved and became associated with "festerling," which is a vegetable or fruit which is preserved in brine or spices.
This name is thought to stem from the occupation of salting and trapping of fish or wild game. This gave the family the association of being skilled at or adept at fishing and trapping with a certain level of expertise. Alternatively, the name could have also come from the particular region in which they resided since the traditional spelling also appear as Vesterling, suggesting that the family may have been from the Westphalia region.
The name Festerling is an uncommon and uncommonly spelled name, but the origin is quite clear. It is derived from the term "fester" which means to rot or to be preserved, and indicates that the original family may have been involved in the preservative of fruits, vegetables, and animals. They were likely either landlords or skilled fishermen.
Order DNA origin analysisFesterling: Where does the name Festerling come from?
The last name Festerling is commonly found in parts of Europe, primarily in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark. It is also found in some parts of North America, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In Germany, Festerling is most commonly found in the state of Hessen. The majority of people with the Festerling surname in North America trace their roots back to one of the many Festerling immigrant families that arrived in the United States between the mid-nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries.
In the United States, the Festerling surname is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Illinois. However, it can also be found in other states with significant German-American populations, including Texas, California, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. In Canada, the Festerling surname is commonly found in parts of Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia. In Mexico, Festerling is mostly concentrated in Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Nuevo Leon.
Today, individuals with the Festerling surname are scattered throughout Europe and North America, with a notable concentration in the United States, Germany, Canada, and Mexico.
Variations of the surname Festerling
The spelling variants, spellings, and surnames of Festerling originate from Germany.
The most common spelling variants of Festerling are, Fest(e)rling, Festerling, Festerlyn(g), Festerline, and Fastorling. Other variants include Festherling, Feisterling, Vesterling, Feusterling, Festerlin, and Fosterling.
There are also numerous variants of Festerling from other European cultures. In the Netherlands, the surname can be spelled Vesterling, Vasteling, or Vaasteling. In Luxemburg, the surname is spelled Fasching, Fesching, Vessing, or Vession. In France, the surname is spelled Festring and in Russia it is spell Festerlingov. In Poland, the surname can be spelled Festerlyje or Festerlinga. In Ireland, the surname is spelled Festerlyng.
Festerling usually comes from Old German nouns, such as festre which means 'one who is strong or stout' or 'one who is prosperous'. This surname can also come from the given name Furster which means 'the one in charge' or 'ruler'.
Ultimately, whether a person is a Festerling depends on how the surnames’ spelling and pronunciation have been changed over time and in different cultures.
Famous people with the name Festerling
- Axel Festerling: German lawyer and former leader of the pro-Nazi Brandenburgian Homeland Party.
- Noel Festerling: American artist specializing in printmaking.
- Lasse Festerling: Former professional ice hockey player from Finland who last played with Eispiraten Crimmitschau in the German 2nd Bundesliga.
- Ilka Festerling: German soprano opera singer.
- Jutta Festerling: German far-right political leader based in the AfD party in the East German region.
- Magda Festerling: Former German women's tennis player who won the East German Championship in 1978.
- Luka Festerling: German-born basketball player competing for Canada's national team.
- Gunnar Festerling: Swimmer from Denmark who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Alexander Festerling: German football player who currently plays for SSV Jeddeloh.
- Denise Festerling: Former professional volleyball player from Venezuela.