Surname Nast - Meaning and Origin
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Nast: What does the surname Nast mean?
The last name Nast is thought to be derived from the German word “nasse”, which literally means “wet” or “moist”. The name is thought to be derived from a wet clay bed near a particular town or village, where people with this surname originally lived. In some cases, the surname could also be related to an Old German word, "Nasten", which means "to snuff".
It has also been suggested that the surname may have been derived from the Old German "Nassen", meaning "throwing net". This suggests that the original bearers of the name could have been fishermen or hunters who used throwing nets as part of their activities.
In modern times, the surname Nast is most commonly associated with the American caricaturist and cartoonist Thomas Nast. He is best known for creating the Republican Party's symbol – the elephant – and the Democratic Party's symbol – the donkey. His political satire and commentary during the 19th century earned him the moniker “The Father of the American Political Cartoon”.
Throughout Germany, people with the last name Nast are found mainly in the southwestern part of the country, including the states of Baden-Württemberg, Hessen, and Bavaria. In the United States, people with the last name Nast are found mainly in the Midwest, including Ohio and Illinois.
Order DNA origin analysisNast: Where does the name Nast come from?
The last name Nast is most commonly associated with the German-born, American caricaturist Thomas Nast (1840-1902). His satirical depictions of American political figures and issues in the late 19th century are legendary and many of his cartoons have become iconic. The last name Nast is still prevalent today, with most families bearing the name residing in Germany. The vast majority of Nasts in Germany are found in the north-eastern part of the country, in the states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Saxony-Anhalt. Nast can also be found further south in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemburg, and Hesse, although the concentration is much lower in these areas.
Outside of Germany, some families bearing the last name Nast can be found in areas with large German immigrant populations, such as the United States, Canada, and South America. The highest concentrations of Nast families in North America are found in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Alberta, and the Upper Midwest of the United States, around the states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. There are also a fair number of families in the northeastern United States, particularly in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. The last name Nast can also be found in Australia and New Zealand, although at much smaller numbers than in either Europe or North America.
Variations of the surname Nast
The surname Nast is of Germanic origin and is derived from the name Anastasius which is a variation of the Greek name Anastasios, meaning “resurrection”. Nast is believed to be a patronymic surname which means that it was passed down from the father's name to the son.
Variants of the surname Nast include Nasta, Nasto, Nasti, Nastu, Naston, Nasut, Nassat, Nasat, Nastie, and Anast. Spellings of these variants may also vary.
Surnames of the same origin as Nast include Anstadt, Anstatt, Anster, Anstey, Anstie, Anstine, Anstre, Anstry, Anstice, Anstifer, and Ansty.
The popularity of the surname Nast has changed significantly over the centuries. In the United States, Nast was the 167th most common surname in the 2000 US Census and the most commonly reported surname in New York. In England, the surname was ranked as the 750th most common surname in the 1891 England census.
Nast is a historically Germanic surname but today could be found in most of Europe. It is particularly common in countries such as Poland, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also present in both South America and North America.
Famous people with the name Nast
- Condé Nast was a publishing magnate known for his magazines, Vanity Fair and Vogue.
- Theodore Nast was an American caricaturist who worked with Harper's Weekly and was critical in the creation of modern American political cartoons.
- Father John Nast was a Roman Catholic Priest who established two parishes in New York City.
- Andre Nast was a French philosopher and theologian.
- DJ Nast was a hip-hop producer and artist from Los Angeles.
- Tobias Nast was an Austrian architect and artist.
- Tara Nast was an American lawyer and political activist who served as the first African-American National Deputy Director of the NAACP.
- Tom Nast was an American photographer who was best known for his images of the performers at the Harlem Renaissance Zanzibar Club.
- Arnold Nast was an American architect who designed the Trinity Church in New York City.
- Mary Louise Nast was a prominent American philanthropist and patron of the arts.