Surname Cösters - Meaning and Origin

Cösters: What does the surname Cösters mean?

The last name Cösters is an ancient name found primarily in the Germanic regions. It likely originated in the town of Cöstersfeld in Germany’s Westphalia region. The name is derived from a combination of the Old German elements “co” meaning cottage and “stede” meaning place. Thus, Cösters can be translated to mean “place of the cottages.”

From the Middle Ages onwards, the Cösters family was regarded as a distinguished one, having several prominent members throughout history including Otto von Cösters, Prussian statesman from the sixteenth century.

Today, the Cösters surname is common in many areas of Germany and also in some surrounding countries like the Netherlands. The spelling of the name has also evolved over time, originally ending in the letter umlaut above the e but then switching to a regular e on some documents.

The Cösters family name continues to stand as a reminder of the rich Germanic history and its influence on culture and society today. As a prominent ancestral family name it is a source of pride to many and it is one that will likely continue to exist for generations to come.

Cösters: Where does the name Cösters come from?

The last name Cösters is common in western Germany, specifically in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. It is of Germanic origin, derived from the masculine given name "Coastari," meaning "woodcutter" or "forester," making it an occupational surname. Over time, the name has evolved into different spellings, including Cösters, Coesters, Kösters, and Koesters.

Today, the surname Cösters is still quite popular in parts of Germany. According to an online telephone directory, the surname is most prevalent in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it ranks among the top ten surnames in the area. It is also quite common in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. Outside of Germany, the surname can be found in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The Cösters family has been quite influential in German history. For example, Karl Cösters (1841–1917) was a famous German lawyer and businessman who founded the industrial collection Imperial Steel Works in Düsseldorf. Also, Arthur Cösters (1866–1933) was a German psychiatrist and neurologist who wrote extensively about mental illnesses.

The surname Cösters is closely associated with West Germany, as well as the surrounding regions of the Benelux countries and the Low Countries. It is of Germanic origin and is one of the most common surnames in the region today.

Variations of the surname Cösters

The surname Cösters is primarily found in the Netherlands, Germany, and Indonesia. It is most commonly spelled as Cösters. Variants of this name also include Coster, Costers, Cöster, Cösters-Schweers, Köster, and Kösters.

The Dutch version of the surname, Costers, is derived from the word "Koster," which means "sexton," "curate," or "church clerk." It was often given to those in charge of keeping church records or maintaining church bells and organs.

The German version of the name, Kösters, is derived from the word "Kösteren," which means to "guard" or "to take care of." This version of the surname was likely used to refer to someone guarding or taking care of something important, such as a farm or livestock.

In Indonesia, the name has undergone multiple iterations. In many cases, the prefix "van" is added to denote nobility, as in Van Kösters-Schweers. This variations is generally used to indicate that the lineage of the individual is that of a noble family.

In all cases, the surname Cösters can be seen as a reminder of the importance of faith, family, and protection in the lives of its original bearers. This is a sentiment that many bearing this name today still take to heart.

Famous people with the name Cösters

• Graeme Cösters: Dutch-born professional squash player
• Django Cösters: Dutch-born singer-songwriter who has released two music albums
• Anneloes Cösters: Dutch-born Paralympic snowboarder
• Marieke Cösters: Dutch-born Olympic silver medallist in judo
• Toots Cösters: Dutch-born professional football player who won the Women's Eredivisie in 2012
• Flip Cösters: Dutch-born painter and sculptor
• Evelien Cösters: Dutch-born actress who has appeared in films such as Alles is Liefde and Tumble-Bones
• Simcha Cösters: Dutch-born entrepreneur and CEO of a number of successful companies
• Nola Cösters: Dutch-born chef and author of the cookbook Cuisine for Kids
• Jeannette Cösters-Veen: Dutch-born singer, songwriter and popular radio host

Other surnames

CosterCöster