Surname Feiste - Meaning and Origin
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Feiste: What does the surname Feiste mean?
The last name Feiste is an occupational name derived from the German term ‘feist’, which means ‘small’ or ‘little’. It is typically found in the German-speaking regions of Europe, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Historically, those with the name Feiste would have usually worked in employment connected to size; such as a tailor, saddler, or even a miller.
In modern times, the name is often associated with having a gentle temperament, being affectionate, and having close attention to detail. Those with the last name Feiste are usually reliable, loyal, and have a strong sense of commitment to whatever it is they do. Additionally, their love of small details can make them excellent problem-solvers and craftspeople.
The Feiste surname is relatively uncommon, though its heritage can be traced back several centuries. Despite its age, it has come to represent strong, honorable character traits. Those with the last name Feiste are often seen as folks willing to go above and beyond the expectations of others, and the name itself is seen as a testament to their skills and character.
Order DNA origin analysisFeiste: Where does the name Feiste come from?
The last name Feiste is common in areas with German ancestry, such as Austria, Switzerland, Germany and the United States. In the United States today, it can be found in several different areas, primarily concentrated in Western and Midwest states.
In the Midwest, the Feiste surname is most prevalent in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, with notable populations in North Dakota and South Dakota. In the West, it can be found in states such as California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, with additional significant populations in Idaho, Nevada and Utah.
There are also clusters of Feiste families living in small towns and rural areas in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Iowa. Overall, Feiste is moderately common in the United States as a whole, ranking at around 17,500th in popularity.
Outside of the United States, the Feiste surname is much more common. In Germany, it is among the top 400 most popular surnames, and it ranks as the 17th most common last name in Austria. As far as Switzerland is concerned, Feiste is the 516th most popular name.
In general, the Feiste surname is most common in areas with German-speaking populations or with large populations with German ancestry. It is most prevalent in the United States in the Midwest and West, although there are also clusters of families living in rural Pennsylvania, Ohio and other states.
Variations of the surname Feiste
Feiste is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word "veste" which means "guard," "guardian" or "protector." It may also have originated as an occupational name from the Middle High German word "vaster" which means "keeper," "guard" or "master of the house." The variants, spellings and alternative surnames of Feiste include Fesst, Fest, Faest, Faehst, Fähst, Feyst, Fiest, Feist, Faist, Fizst, Fiestt, Fiast, Feast and Faistt.
Feiste is a relatively rare surname, with less than 200 instances of the name being found in the United States. It is most commonly found in the states of Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, Georgia, Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee. The states with the most Feiste family members in residence are Mississippi and Missouri.
The Feiste surname is believed to have first appeared in Germany during the early middle ages. Records from this period indicated that there were several people with this surname in Westphalia, so it is likely to have originated there. It was used by families from different regions and states within Germany, including Bavaria, Prussia, Schleswig-Holstein, and Germany’s east border regions.
The Feiste family also had a presence in different parts of Europe such as Norway, Poland, Denmark and Sweden. It is also likely that branches of the family may have migrated to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Feiste family today are descendents of the early German Feistes who settled in the United States, and have contributed to many aspects of the American society.
Famous people with the name Feiste
- Nicole Feistner: former professional Netball player
- Ron Feister: former American Football player
- Michael Feist: singer-songwriter
- Brittany Feist: dancer and choreographer
- Randy Feiste: sculptor and painter
- Erik Feist: lead vocalist of Swedish metal band Insomnium
- Robert Feist: comedian and actor
- Edgar Feist: German football player
- Paul Feister: amateur pool player
- Kevin Feister: professional baseball player
- Sarah Feist: Australian fencer
- Michael Feistle: entrepreneur and business owner
- Sabrina Feist: German journalist
- Greg Feist: former Australian footballer
- Carlo Feist: Austrian actor and filmmaker
- Claudio Feist: Swiss musician
- Antje Feistel: German astrophysicist
- Christoph Feist: classical guitarist
- Joe Feist: American bodybuilder
- Brent Feist: American film director