Find out how popular the last name Gester is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Gester.

Gester, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Gester surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Gester in America

Gester is the 143847th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gester surname appeared 106 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Gester.

The history of the last name Gester

The surname Gester has its origins in Germany and dates back to the early medieval period. It is a locational surname derived from place names, and old records suggest that it may originate from a now-lost place called Gestern, which was located in the Rhineland region. The name derives from the Middle High German word gest or gestr, which translates to guest or stranger. It is likely that the original bearers of the name were either associated with an inn or guesthouse or were newcomers to a particular area.

One of the early recorded instances of the Gester surname is found in the mid-13th century. A document from 1265 mentions a Heinrich Gester from the Bonn area, indicating that the name had already spread to various regions within present-day Germany. The name continued to appear in various legal and ecclesiastical documents over the centuries, establishing its presence in the historical record.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Gester surname was recorded in various spellings such as Gestere, Gestern, and Gesterus. Historical manuscripts from the Hanseatic League, a confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe, mentions a merchant named Johann Gester who was active in the Lübeck area around 1410. This indicates that bearers of the Gester surname were involved in commerce and trade during the medieval period.

In the 16th century, the name appears in church records more frequently. One notable figure is Martin Gester, a Lutheran clergyman born in 1522 and active in Düsseldorf. Martin played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation within the region, contributing to religious and social reforms. His influence extended well beyond his local community until his death in 1577.

The surname spread throughout Europe during the following centuries. By the 17th century, records show a Hans Gester who served as a council member in the town of Mainz. Hans was involved in various civic duties, including the administration of local laws and community welfare, until his death in 1692.

Another significant individual is Friedrich Gester, a 19th-century German historian born in 1804. He contributed extensively to the documentation of Rhineland history and authored several important works until his death in 1868. Friedrich's efforts in preserving history earned him recognition and respect within academic circles.

From its origin in the Rhineland region of Germany, the Gester surname has maintained a presence throughout the country's history, appearing in various forms and associated with multiple professions and roles in society. The surname's locational and occupational background reflects the shifting patterns of settlement, trade, and social life in medieval and early modern Europe.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gester

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Gester.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gester was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Gester was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gester, please contact us.

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