Surname Kast - Meaning and Origin
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Uncovering the Surname 'Kast': A Tryst with iGENEA's Deep-Rooted Familial DNA Analysis
The iGENEA’s DNA testing service provided a deeper insight into the historical roots of the surname 'Kast', connecting it to Northwestern European regions. The simplicity of the testing procedure and the comprehensive nature of the resultant report were impressive. The data correlated well with known family history, confirming its accuracy. The Y-DNA haplogroup R1b, predominant in the results, aligned with the history of Western Europe, further substantiating the lineage. Overall, this process was a unique journey into my ancestry, enhancing my understanding of the Kast lineage.
R. Kast
read moreKast: What does the surname Kast mean?
The last name Kast is of German origin and is derived from the name "Kasten," which is an occupational name for a barrel maker. Those bearing such a name have typically descended from a barrel maker or timber merchant. The word "Kasten" is derived from the old German word "kas," meaning "chest, torso, or box."
Historically, the Kast family is known to have been forest dwellers, living in the woods and using wood for weapons and construction, so it is likely that the ancestral name referred to a woodworker or tradesman.
Throughout the centuries, the name has evolved. In some locales, the “e” has been dropped, and the name evolved from Kasten to the current spelling of Kast. Over time, some members of the Kast family have used the suffix "-er" to distinguish between the name associated with the craft of woodworking and the name of those who may not have had a direct connection to the craft.
It is believed that the Kast family members were initially of noble birth and had more money than many of their neighbors. This is borne out by records which show that the Kasts had a great deal of success with their timber operations, becoming merchants, timber barons, and estate owners.
Today, those bearing the Kast name are found throughout the world. They come from all different backgrounds and occupations. What is true for all Kasts is that they are united by the singular name and the legacy of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisKast: Where does the name Kast come from?
The last name Kast is mainly found in the German-speaking countries, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is believed that the name originated in the Middle Ages in South or Central Germany and is derived from the name "Kaste," from the Latin word "castus," meaning chaste or pure. It is speculated that the name was initially given to someone in the clergy or to someone of moral character. Today, there are around 17,000 people who currently bear the last name Kast in Germany, while there are several hundred more in the other countries.
The name Kast is also found in the United States, but the numbers are lower than in the German-speaking countries. In the U.S., the name appears mainly in the southwestern states, such as Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. Here, it is believed that the name was brought to the U.S. by German or Dutch settlers from the 17th and 18th centuries. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently around 2,000 people who bear the last name Kast in the United States.
Overall, the last name Kast is most common today in the German-speaking countries and the southwestern United States. Other countries where the name is present include France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Hungary, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Kast
The surname Kast is derived from the Middle High German word kast or kaste, meaning a “chest” or “box.” The surname could have referred to a family’s trade of being a maker of chests or boxes, or it could have been an occupational name referring to one who was hired to store and/or guard chests and boxes, or someone who was employed in the lumber trade.
Variants of the surname Kast include Kastner, which is derived from the German noun kasten, meaning “box” or “chest”; Kaster, which is derived from the German noun kaster, meaning “furniture maker”; Kassis, which is derived from the Middle High German words kaste and kassen, meaning “chest” and “box”; Kastens, which is derived from the German word kasten, meaning “box”; Kastle, which is derived from the Middle High German word kaste, meaning “box”; and Kastner.
In addition to these variants, the surname Kast can also be spelled in various ways, including the German orthography Kast and Kaast, as well as the Dutch orthography Kaast and Kaas.
Finally, surnames of similar origin to Kast include Kaspar, Kastl, Kaserer, Käser, Kastenhofer, Kastenholtz, Kastenmayer, Kastenmeier, Kastenram, Kastenrath, Kastenroff, Kastner, Kastorrito, Kastrau, Kastrautmann, Kastrup, Kastor, Kastner, Kastenmayr, and Kastning.
Famous people with the name Kast
- Milo Kast: an American actor known for his roles in films such as Alexander an American sitcom ‘The Middle.’
- Corinne Kast: an American actress and designer who has featured on TV shows like ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘The Bachelorette’.
- Amanda Kast: a Canadian musician and MC who often serves as the festival master of ceremonies for the Squamish Valley Music Festival.
- Hans Kast: a German composer and conductor and a member of the Prussian Academy of Arts.
- Andreas Kast: a German poet, director, and screenwriter.
- Kim Kast: an American actor, musician, hair and make-up designer, and director.
- Moritz Kast: an Austrian-Hungarian architect and industrial engineer.
- Jürgen Kast: a German organist and director of music.
- Adam Kast: an Australian Paralympic athlete who competes in wheelchair basketball.
- Clemens Kast: an Austrian artist and English teacher who is known for abstract and abstract expressionist works.