by Andy (guest)
11/1/2004, 7:33 AM
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 ;—)