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ArchivesRe: German surname
in reply to a message by Debbie
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 ;—)
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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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