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I'm trying to research my family tree for surname WEISTER but I can't seem to get anywhere. I've been told they came from Bavaria, Germany in 1775. Does anyone know what the surname WEISTER means and if it's spelled differently in Germany.
Thanks
Debbie
Thanks
Debbie
1
Replies
WEISTER is not in my book of German surnames. All I found was WEIST. The ending -er could refer either to a profession or to a place-name. Even in the 30 volume Grimms dictionary I can't find a word "weist" or anything alike. I don't think it's related to "weiß" ("white" or "know") or "weise" (wise). My guess would be, it's a place-name.
My book (Duden: Familiennamen) says about WEIST:
1. from Middle High German "wisot / wiset" meaning "gift" (to a bride or to the church)
2. place-name in Saxony from Weist, Weiditz, Weidest (obviously not place-names any more nowadays) meaning "area with willows".
Hope this helps.
Andy ;—)
My book (Duden: Familiennamen) says about WEIST:
1. from Middle High German "wisot / wiset" meaning "gift" (to a bride or to the church)
2. place-name in Saxony from Weist, Weiditz, Weidest (obviously not place-names any more nowadays) meaning "area with willows".
Hope this helps.
Andy ;—)
1
searching Google.com i only found three hits with the word weister in German-language sites. All three were mistypes of the German word weiter and far from surnames. Adding to that, i did get hits in the United States, Norway and many Dutch sites. Not far from where I live there is a village called Wijster ('ij' and 'ei' are the same sound in Dutch and often interchangeable) and i found a volleyball club from Leerdam called 'De Weister', so it is a word in Dutch, but extremely rare and i have no idea of the meaning. One tip i could give. You could send an e-mail to the volleyball club in which you ask them if they know where they got the name from, i.e. the meaning of it.
But, the most hits i got in Swedish sites, and it were surnames Weister of Swedish people. I really don't know the meaning, but if you'd ask me, i'd say it is a Swedish surname and not German.
But, the most hits i got in Swedish sites, and it were surnames Weister of Swedish people. I really don't know the meaning, but if you'd ask me, i'd say it is a Swedish surname and not German.
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Since no one else has answered, I'll venture a guess (though again, I mention one of my best German sources discontinued German as one of its languages).
I know 'weis' on another translator site means "point" ...I know that "white" is 'weiß' and that "wheat" is 'Weizen' ...those are my best guesses according to the look of the word, though there are many regional variations so I'll leave it to a better German expert ...
I know 'weis' on another translator site means "point" ...I know that "white" is 'weiß' and that "wheat" is 'Weizen' ...those are my best guesses according to the look of the word, though there are many regional variations so I'll leave it to a better German expert ...
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