Surname Karsten - Meaning and Origin
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Uncovering the Legacy of the Karsten Surname: Tracing My Ancestral Footsteps Through iGENEA DNA Test
The scientific findings from my iGENEA DNA test have opened up fascinating insights about the Karsten surname. The emphasis lies heavily on ancestry, haplogroups, and genealogy associated with the roots of this surname. The intriguing reveal of haplogroup R1b draws connections to Western Europe, specifically Germanic tribes, revealing the ancestral journey linked to the Karsten name. The test also introduces potential relatives and deepens understanding about the maternal lineage of the Karsten family name.
S. Karsten
read moreKarsten: What does the surname Karsten mean?
The last name Karsten is of German origin and is a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Karst". The root of the name Karsten is derived from the medieval given name Karst, which itself is derived from the Old High German word “kerstin” that is composed of the words “kest” and “in”, meaning “bold” and “one” respectively.
Karsten has been used across Germany and beyond for centuries, and is found in its several variant forms that can be seen in different language dialects around the world. These are Karstan, Karston, Karsen, Karssen, Krston, Karson, Karzin, Kasten, Karsteny and Keresten, among others.
The earliest records of the name and its variations date back to the 12th and 13th century and include records of Dodo Karstin in 1319 in Baden, Hermann Karstain of Zurich in Switzerland, Kasten Kresten of Varrelbusch in 1317, and Gerend Krstein of Wurzburg in 1369.
Today, individuals with the last name Karsten are believed to come from a diverse array of nationalities and cultures, and can be found in both Europe and the United States. Karsten is still a popular name, and as of 2020, more than 8,000 people in the United States alone bear the name.
Despite its wide dispersal and many years in use, the name Karsten retains the qualities of its roots, holding connotations of a strong and independent personality.
Order DNA origin analysisKarsten: Where does the name Karsten come from?
The last name Karsten is most commonly found in northern Europe, especially in Scandinavia and the Netherlands. It is a very common last name in Germany, with close to 15,000 individuals carrying the name. It is also often seen in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands. Since these countries experienced significant emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries, it is likely that many people bearing the Karsten last name have descendants living elsewhere around the world.
The United States is home to a large population of those with the Karsten last name, as many of the people carrying the name immigrated there from Europe. It can be found in all states across the country, though those living in the south and in urban areas tend to be larger concentrations. According to data from Ancestry, individuals carrying the Karsten last name are especially numerous in California, Minnesota, Iowa, and New York.
The Karsten name can also be found in various other countries in Europe and around the world. There is a sizable population in Canada, and many who bear this name can be found in other places like Australia, Argentina, South Africa, and the Philippines.
The history of the Karsten name is interesting, as there are several possible meanings and origins. It is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word, “Krasta”, meaning “the wheel” or “crown”. It is also possible that it is derived from a term for a “priest”. Similarly, the German origin for the name is thought to mean “Christian”, which could be why it is most common in countries with a predominantly Christian history or population.
Variations of the surname Karsten
Karsten is a German surname, and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Caresten, Kartsen, Carssten, Kersten, and Karstens.
The origin of the name is rooted in German regions, particularly in the North Sea coast area and the North Rhine-Westphalia province, which was historically known as the “East Friesland” region.
Many of these variants are derived from the Dutch form of the last name, “Kerssten,” which has long been present in the East Friesland region. “Kars” was a common ending for Dutch and German names, representing a paternal line.
The first recorded use of the name in German records dates back to 1644, when Johannes Caresten was mentioned in the records of Borssum, Germany. The variations of the name began developing soon after, with two major branches stretched across the German countryside.
In addition to the original Dutch and German forms of the name, over time the name developed other spellings and variants that were used across Germany, such as Karsen, Karns, Kartes, KartsPN, Karsten, Karstemer, and Karstarnsen.
In America, the most common spelling today is Karsten, with its variants used less frequently. It is theorised that as many German immigrants arrived in the United States, the spelling of the name was simplified to “Karsten,” due to language barriers and different spellings associated with regional dialects.
The Karsten surname is also seen in other countries, such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. In each of these countries, the spelling of the name varies slightly, but all still relate to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Karsten
- Rolf Karsten: German-born American actor
- Jo Karsten: Dutch singer, songwriter and actress
- Peter Karsten: Danish actor
- Mathias Karsten: Danish rower
- Tracey Karsten: Australian television presenter
- Peter Horsten Karsten: Norwegian politician
- Arne Karsten: Norwegian physicist
- Rune Karsten: Norwegian Bishop
- Rudi Karsten: German Modern pentathlete
- Harald Karsten: Norwegian footballer
- Geir Karsten Tveit: Norwegian golden age painter
- Ole Christian Karsten: Norwegian painter
- Berit Karsten: Norwegian philologist
- Mikael Karsten: Finnish chessmaster
- Marcus Karsten: Swedish author and poet
- Monica Karsten: German footballer
- Mika Karsten: Finnish Musician
- Stefan Karsten: German TV presenter
- Thoralf Karsten: German composer
- Olga Karsten : Danish Ballet dancer