Surname Kastein - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kastein: What does the surname Kastein mean?
The surname Kastein is a locational surname derived from German, originating in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. It is thought to mean "borderland" or "march" and is the German form of the English word “Estate,” derived from Old English and Latin.
The specific place the Kastein name originates from is unknown, as is the exact date or time period. It likely originated in the Middle Ages when surnames as we know them today were still being developed. The Kastein surname is found across many European countries, including Germany, France, Austria, and the Netherlands, though it is more common in Germany, where it is the 587th ranked surname.
Variants of the name Kastein include Kasteine, Kasstein, Kasteyn, Kasteyn, Kasten, and Kastayn, though Kastein is the most common variant.
The Kastein surname suggests a long, rich history of the family’s belonging to a particular borderland or kingdom, and speaks of a connection to an ancestral land that is still retained by many of the bearing the surname today. The name may also refer to a family’s involvement in trade, either through goods transported across a political and territorial line or through services. Finally, the Kastein surname could simply indicate someone living in an area near a border, such as a town or village in the Rhineland-Palatinate region.
Order DNA origin analysisKastein: Where does the name Kastein come from?
The last name Kastein is of German origin and typically found in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also common in other countries with significant German-speaking populations, including USA, Canada, Australia, and throughout Central and South America.
In the United States, families bearing the surname Kastein can be found primarily on the East and West Coasts. States such as California, Oregon, New York, and even Maine are all home to a significant population of people with the Kastein surname. In Finland, families with the surname Kastein are typically concentrated in southwestern Finland, particularly in the regions of Uusimaa and Satakunda.
Various Kastein families trace their ancestry back to the Germanic tribes of the Vandals and Burgundians, while others trace their origins back to Greece and Macedonia. Furthermore, because of Jewish migrations, many German-Jewish families adopted the Kastein surname from the Burgundy region of Germany.
Today, there are a number of notable people who bear the surname Kastein, including the former US Ambassador to Switzerland and the former president of the Swiss branch of General Motors.
Variations of the surname Kastein
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kastein include Kasten, Kasteyn, Casten, Castin, Castain, Kastain, Kastain, Castan, Kastyn, Kastin, Kastaine, Kastayne, Kastayn, Kastayne, Castayne, Cassteen, Kasstein, Kastenheim and Kastenau. Usually, these variants and spellings of the surname Kastein are found mainly in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. For example, the Dutch variant and spelling are particularly common, with Kastein being spelled as Kasten.
In Germany, Kastein is a topographical name referring to someone who lived or worked near a casten, or stone-built structure such as a castle, fortress or wall. The name Casten was also used to describe an inhabitant of a castle. As such, the surname Kastein is derived from the Middle High German word kaste, meaning castle or fortification - hence the numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kastein.
Regional variations of Kastein exist in all German-speaking countries. In Austria, it may have been derived from the word kasten, meaning box, and therefore someone who made or sold boxes, while in the Netherlands, variant and spelling are mainly found.
In England, variations of the surname Kastein are largely documented as Casten. There, the name is thought to have been an occupational name, perhaps of a drummer or castanet player.
Variants of Kastein can also be found in India, where Kasten or Kasteen are commonly found amongst those of Jewish or Sephardic origin.
Famous people with the name Kastein
- Robert Kastein: Possessing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Robert Kastein is a proven leader in the technology and engineering industries.
- Jeff Kastein: An actor of stage and screen, Jeff Kastein has appeared in Broadway shows, feature films, and television shows such as The Quiz Show, Sex and the City, and The Good Wife.
- Tony Kastein: A successful investor and financial analyst for nearly three decades, Tony Kastein is the founder and CEO of the wealth management firm Kastein Investment Partners.
- Charles Kastein: A noted sports journalist, Charles Kastein has written for various newspapers and magazines on topics such as basketball, football, baseball, and golf.
- Bert Kastein: A renowned photographer and filmmaker, Bert Kastein has traveled throughout Europe giving talks on his work.
- Kirsten Kastein: A mechanical engineer, Kirsten Kastein held corporate positions with such industry-leading companies as Apple, IBM, and Honeywell.
- Scott Kastein: An award-winning television producer and director, Scott Kastein has been involved in the creation of such shows as Funkytown, South of Nowhere, and The Sorority Show.
- Adam Kastein: Holding degrees in political science and law from Stanford University, Adam Kastein is a practicing attorney specializing in corporate law.