Surname Förster - Meaning and Origin

Ancestor Chronicles: Tracing the Cultural History and Origins of the Förster Surname with iGENEA DNA Test

My exploration into my surname Förster through the iGENEA DNA test opened a veritable archaeological site of cultural and historical discoveries from ancient Celtic tribes to Medieval German foresters. The test also brought to light unique genetic markers, painting a nuanced picture of the Förster family lineage.

E. Förster

Förster: What does the surname Förster mean?

The surname Förster is a German occupational surname which means “forester or gamekeeper” in English. Historically, a forester was someone who was employed to guard a particular forest or wood and protect it from theft or harm. It was also the job of the forester to ensure that only those who were authorized to take from the wood were allowed to do so.

This surname is most likely derived from the word “forst” which is an old German word that has been in use since the 5th century. It is also related to the Dutch word “voerster” and the English word “forest”. The word “forst” has been used to refer to specific areas of woodland for many centuries.

The Förster family can trace their history back to the 16th century in Germany. During this time, the family was heavily involved in managing forests and hunted throughout the region, providing the towns with lucrative game.

Throughout history, many Försters have held prominent positions in the forestry and hunting sectors in Germany. Many have also served as mayors, counselors, managers and etc in various cities. Today, the Förster surname is quite common in German-speaking countries, especially in Germany itself.

Förster: Where does the name Förster come from?

The last name Förster is a Germanic surname that today is commonly found in countries with Germanic influences, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg. In particular, it is relatively common in the region of Austria and Bavaria. It has spread further north into Scandinavia, and can also be found throughout the United States and Canada.

The etymology of Förster is derived from the words ‘forest’ and ‘keeper’ and it was used to denote someone who was responsible for taking care of a hunting ground, or a professional forester. The exact origin of the name is unclear though, with some sources pointing to its emergence during the Middle Ages amid a surge of Germanic surnames.

In modern times, Förster has remained a popular surname. According to the source Verwandt.de, the surname is currently ranked number 259 in the German phone book. This makes it more common than a lot of other German surnames, suggesting that it remains widely popular today.

In the United States, Förster is the 11,320th most common surname, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Interestingly, the name is more common in the northern Midwest and western states, where the populations are more likely to have Germanic roots.

Variations of the surname Förster

The surname Förster is an occupational surname originating from the German word for ‘forester’. It is a common surname in Germany and Austria, and is also found in many other parts of the world, especially North America and Australia.

The variants of Förster are Foerster, Foster, Forster, and Forrest. Foerster and Foster are the most commonly used variants and are found mainly in North America. Forster is the most common variant found in Australia while Forrest is the least common variant.

Variations in spelling of the surname Förster can be found in some countries, particularly the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Examples of these variations are Foerste, Foerster, Foestra, Forester, Fors, Fort, Forsster, Förster, and Forsythe.

Additional surnames that are derived from Förster include Forst, Forestier, Forsterling, and Foresta. It is also commonly found in combination with other surnames such as Foersterhaus, Foerstermann, and Foerster-Koehler.

The German form of the Förster surname is sometimes also encountered in other parts of Europe, such as Scandinavia. In these cases, it is likely to be spelled Förster or variations on that spelling.

In summary, the surname Förster has a number of variants, spellings, and associated surnames. The most common variants being Foerster, Foster, Forster, and Forrest. Variations in spelling can be found, particularly in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, with additional surnames derived from Förster including Forst, Forestier, Forsterling, and Foresta. The German form of the surname Förster is sometimes found in other parts of Europe.

Famous people with the name Förster

• Agnes Förster: Swiss tennis player
• Alexander Förster: German-born admiral in the United States Navy
• Alfred Förster: German historian and historian of philosophy
• August Förster: German pianist, composer and music educator
• Erich Förster: East German prize-winning writer
• Georg Friedrich Förster: German botanist
• Jacob Förster: Swiss-born Australian classical scholar
• Johann Georg Förster: German theologian
• Johannes Förster: German entomologist
• Karl Förster: German plant breeder
• Lucas Förster: Austrian composer
• Maria Förster: Swiss social worker and politician
• Michael Förster: German entomologist
• Paul Förster: German judge, physician and politician
• Richard Förster: German composer, conductor and teacher
• Rudolf Förster: German philosopher

Other surnames

ForstedtForsten