Surname Cariston - Meaning and Origin
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Cariston: What does the surname Cariston mean?
The last name Cariston is of French origin and can be traced back to the Languedoc region in the south of France. The name is derived from an old French personal name that is found in the records of medieval French knights.
The Cariston family line is believed to have originated in the 12th century, when a knight named Cariston initiated his family line. Cariston is a topographic name for someone who lived in a hut, or in the area in the vicinity of a hut. The name Cariston is believed to be related to the French word ‘carré’, meaning square or corner, which could possibly refer to a hut or shelter.
Cariston began as a French surname and was then anglicized, becoming more common in English-speaking countries. Today, Cariston is primarily found in the United States and the United Kingdom. It also appears in other countries, particularly France, where it is still in use.
TheCariston family adopted the motto: ‘Fidelis et Fortis’, meaning ‘Faithful and Strong’. This reflects the legacy of strength and courage that their family has upheld throughout the centuries. To this day, the Caristons remain a proud and hardworking family, respected for their dedication to duty and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisCariston: Where does the name Cariston come from?
The last name Cariston is most commonly found in Scotland and the United Kingdom. It is primarily concentrated in areas such as Lothian and Fife in Scotland, and Kent, London, and Lancashire in England. The most recent studies of the surname suggest that it may have originated in England in the 15th century.
Historically, some families may have adopted the Cariston name after arriving from France. During the rule of King Edward III, many people sought refuge from French persecution and migrated to England. Some of these families adopted surnames with French origin and Cariston may have been one such name.
In recent decades, however, the Cariston name has spread around the world. As people migrate, they often take the name with them. The name can be found in Australia, Canada, the United States, and other countries around the world. It can also be encountered in former British colonies, and other areas with a British population, such as South Africa, Hong Kong, and India.
Overall, the Cariston surname is a relatively rare name. It is not among the top 1000 most common surnames in England, Scotland, or Wales, and it is estimated that there are less than 2,000 people using the name worldwide. However, people bearing the name should consider themselves part of a very unique and special group with centuries of history and heritage.
Variations of the surname Cariston
The surname Cariston can be variated in numerous forms, both in spelling and through surnames of the same origin. Variations of the name often include Cariston, Caristone, Carstain, Carsteen, Carstone and Carstons. All of these different appears of spelling can be tied together through their common origin.
The surname Cariston can be traced back to Old French, specifically to northern France where the earliest variations of the name emerged as Castinea, Castini or Castino. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, the spelling changed to Caristone, a variation of Caristen and Carsten. Over time, the name began to appear throughout Europe, eventually arriving in England around the 13th century.
Cariston is also derived from similar German and Jewish surnames, such as Karst, Kärst, Kärzt, Kärztein, Kaarston and Karitz. These names are all related to the miners who extracted limestone rock from the mountains in the Rhine region of Germany during the Middle Ages. Carston and Carstein were also sometimes used when people of German origin anglicised their surname when settling in the United Kingdom.
No matter what variant of the surname Cariston is used, the name is of Germanic and French origin, derived from an occupational trade. The different forms and adaptations of the name are all deeply linked to its original source.
Famous people with the name Cariston
- Naomi Cariston: a contemporary British actress and singer, best known for her appearances in blockbuster films like ‘Jurassic World’ and for her lead roles in BBC dramas such as ‘Collateral’ and ‘The Lady in the Lake’.
- Scot Cariston: a retired professional basketball player, most famous for his stellar performances with the Toronto Raptors during the 1990s.
- Charles Cariston: a highly-regarded English architect and designer, known for his postmodernist style which can be seen in the prominent structures and landmarks he has been commissioned to design over his career.
- Noelle Cariston: a renowned French fashion designer, famed not just for her modern, avant-garde collections but for her commitment to fair pay and sustainability.
- Baron Cariston: a politician and hereditary peer in the House of Lords who has served as a Conservative Member of Parliament since 1992.
- Doug Cariston: the long-standing host of the popular American television show ‘Saturday Night Live’ from 1995 to 2012.
- Eric Cariston: a pioneering American director, writer and producer of highly-acclaimed independent films such as ‘Intervention’ and ‘Houston, We Have a Problem’.
- Mark Cariston: an esteemed British basketball coach, currently in charge of the England men’s national team.
- Josh Cariston: an American musician widely regarded as one of the most innovative jazz composers of recent times, whose eclectic, genre-spanning sounds have earned him a dedicated and growing fan base.