Surname Dester - Meaning and Origin
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Dester: What does the surname Dester mean?
The last name Dester is of German origin, derived from a topographical name for someone who lived near a meadow or pasture. Alternatively, it can also have a more symbolic origin, implying someone who was a guardian of the meadow or pasture.
The name Dester can be found throughout Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria, with a particular pocket of Dester’s in the Black Forest region. It is also found in the United States, where many emigrated from Europe during the 19th century.
People with the name Dester tend to be independent thinkers who are natural problem-solvers. They often take on the role of the leader in their communities, and have strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, Dester’s are driven and innovative, with enterprising minds that often make them successful in business and entrepreneurship.
Dester’s have consistently been known to be active members of their communities, from providing help to those in need to actively engaging in local affairs. This is unsurprising, given their natural proclivity for independence, leadership, and empathy.
At its core, the name Dester represents a guardian of community and peace—someone who is determined to make the world a better place. By embodying the strengths associated with the name, there is no limit to what a Dester can achieve.
Order DNA origin analysisDester: Where does the name Dester come from?
The Dester surname is most commonly found today in Switzerland, mainly in the Bern, Basel, Neuchâtel, Thurgau, and Zurich cantons, and in the French region of Alsace. Dester is believed to be a patronymic surname, derived from the Swiss German word “Dessler” which was originally a nickname for someone from the village of Tessin (Tèssin in French). The name is also occasionally found in other Swiss cantons including Lucerne and Aargau, as well as in neighboring France, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Immigrants from these countries have also emigrated to other countries all over the world throughout history and are often found in small numbers in many countries, particularly in the United States, Canada and, to a lesser degree, Germany, Australia, and Mexico. Dester is a fairly rare surname, with only around 2,500 individuals or families sharing the name living in Switzerland according to the 2020 Swiss Population Directory. As a fairly common surname in earlier generations, it is possible to trace some historical records of the Dester surname in Switzerland back to the 1800s.
Variations of the surname Dester
The surname Dester has various variant spellings and related surnames of both French and German origin.
In French, the surname is spelled as d’Estère, D’Estaires, Destair, Destaire, Deste, Destee, Destei, Destel, Destelaire, Destelle, Destenay, Destenay-Duplantis, Dester, Destère, Destes, Destez, Destez-Baudet, Destez-Bodin, Destez-Grandami, Destez-Mouchet, Destez-Ricour, Desthé, Destoen, Destoee, Destoee-Vidureau, Destoil, Destoller, Destomer, Destoot, Destors, Destourné, Destournél, Destrade, Destrieux, Destrop, Destruel, Destruelle, Destruel-Lagace, Destry, Destue, D'estruel, and D'estue.
In German, related surnames include Deister, Desterich, Destor, Deisterhausen, Desterhausen, Deisterhaupt, Desterhaupt, Deisterpfennig, Desterpfennig, Deisterasser, and Desterasser.
Descendants of certain branches of the Dester families can also be found bearing other surnames that have derived from the original surname, including Destier, Destrée, Destres, Destriet, Destrooper, Destero, Destructeur, Destorbe, Destormel, Destremau, Destrivé, Destrée, and Destré.
Famous people with the name Dester
- Bob Dester: Producer, songwriter, and recording artist who is active in the music industry since the early 80s.
- Eric Dester: Prominent figure in the corporate world, Eric Dester currently serves as the CEO of Greatland International.
- Eric De Smet: Belgian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Beerschot in the Belgian Pro League.
- Lucien Dester: French professional footballer who played in the French First Division during the 1980s and 1990s.
- Joy Dester: American actress, model, and singer who is best known for her roles in movies like Driver and The Wild.
- André Dester: French-Swiss painter, engraver and sculptor who creates abstract paintings in a variety of colors, materials and styles.
- Jeffery Dester: American creative director, writer and musician. He is the creator of the conceptual artist collective iam8bit.
- Paul Dester: Private chef and restaurant owner, Paul Dester is a star in the culinary world.
- Mark Dester: Manager and Senior Vice President of National Fuel, a large energy company headquartered in Buffalo, New York.
- Robert Dester: Corporate lawyer and president of DEcorp, Inc., a corporate solutions firm.