Surname East - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Unravelling Ancestry Surprises: A Radical Exploration of the East Surname through iGENEA DNA Test
I recently embarked on a journey of self-discovery with the iGENEA DNA test. Contrary to my belief of having a primarily British heritage, I was rather surprised to find a curious mix of genetic markers that pointed towards a Nordic lineage and Central Asian connections. These results led me to unravel the fascinating history of my surname "East," revealing the paths my ancestors possibly tread, ranging from Viking conquerors to Silk Road traders.
N. East
read moreEast: What does the surname East mean?
The last name East is of English and Scottish origin and is a topographic surname, meaning it was given to someone based on their geographical location or residence. The surname East typically would have been given to someone who lived to the east of a main settlement or in the eastern part of a village. It can also be derived from the Middle English term "est," meaning east, or from the Old English term "ēast," also meaning east. In Scotland, the surname East may be derived from a nickname from the Old Norse word "austan," meaning "from the east." It's also possible that some people were given the last name East because they were originally from the eastern part of a region or country. Like many surnames, its exact origins and meanings can vary and are not always definitive. Surnames often evolved and changed over time depending on usage, region, and specific family lines.
Order DNA origin analysisEast: Where does the name East come from?
The surname East originated from England and it was initially given as a nickname to someone who lived to the east of a main settlement, or someone who had moved to the area from the east. It's derived from the Old English term "east", meaning towards the sunrise. Another possible origin could be a topographic name for someone who lived by a prominent eastern landmark such as a hill or stream, or a habitational name from East, a common element in English place names.
The frequency of the surname East varies widely across the globe today. According to Forebears.io, as of 2014, it's most common in England, followed by the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. The region with the highest concentration of people with the East surname is the East Midlands in England. The city with the most people named East is London. However, in terms of frequency relative to population, the countries with the highest proportion of East surnames are Anguilla, England, and Australia.
Variations of the surname East
The surname East is of English origin and is a popular name for those hailing from the eastern part of a region or for someone living to the east of a central location. The different regional dialects that existed in Medieval England caused various spellings of the surname. As such, the same name was often spelled differently in different regions and this variation has continued to the present day.
Alternatives and variations include Easts, Eastes, Easte, Eyste, Est, Este, and Yeast. Some could have prefixes like 'de' or 'le,' as in De East or Le East.
In other cases, the name might have been translated or altered when family members emigrated to other countries. In these instances, East could become Osten (in German), Este (in Italian or Spanish), or even Eastern, Easter, or Eastman when further anglicized.
Compound surnames that incorporate East are also possible, for example, Eastwood, Easterbrook, or Eastgate. However, it's important to note that these combinations might not necessarily be related ancestrally to the singular East surname. The same applies to the surnames West, North, and South which, despite apparent connections, may not share a common origin with East.
Famous people with the name East
- Guy East: An American professional cyclist who has represented his country in several international events.
- Clint Eastwood: Although East is not his surname, Clint Eastwood is a well-known actor and filmmaker who is synonymous with Western films.
- Andrew East: A professional American football player who has played for several NFL teams.
- Fleur East: British singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, radio presenter, and fitness model.
- Jenna East: Professional British beach volleyball player.
- Phil East: Professional American car racer.
- James East: Veteran golf professional from Australia.
- Vanessa Eileen East: Belizean beauty queen, represented Belize at Miss Universe 2012.
- Elliot East: Well-known Australian actor and author.
- Michael East: Former professional middle-distance runner from England.
- Samuel East: Canadian politician who served in the House of Commons of Canada.
- Rodney East: Former Zimbabwean cricketer.
- Caleb East: Renowned American long-distance runner. Please note, while 'East' is indeed the surname for some famous people, others simply have 'East' in their name as a first or middle name.