Surname Estes - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling my Rich Ancestry: The Historical Discoveries from my iGENEA DNA Test Onto the Estes Surname

My recent iGENEA DNA test unraveled a captivating heritage tied to my surname - Estes. Initially introduced in England via the Norman Conquest, it evolved from being a title of strength to becoming synonymous with courage, nobility, and artistic patronage. It is a name that saw migration and historical influence, a part of my lineage that I never knew existed before this DNA test.

Y. Estes

Estes: What does the surname Estes mean?

The surname Estes is of Italian origin, derived from the name "Este," a town in northern Italy near Venice that was home to an influential family during the Renaissance period. It is also the plural form of "Este" in Spanish and Portuguese languages, meaning "east". Additionally, Estes has Anglo-Saxon origins, denoting someone from the East. The last name was often given to individuals from eastern locations or whose occupation involved traveling eastward. In certain contexts, the name has also been linked to the Latin term "aestas" signifying "summer." Hence, the interpretation of the surname Estes can vary vastly based on regional and historical contexts. Regardless of its precise origin, the surname is widely present today in multiple countries, including the U.S, Italy, and Brazil among others.

Estes: Where does the name Estes come from?

The surname Estes is believed to have originated from the Old French word "estais," which means "dweller by the Este." It may also have derived from the Latin word "aestas," that signifies "summer". It has several alternative spellings including Este, Estey, and Estez.

The surname is thought to have first appeared in Padua, a city in Northern Italy. A noble family bearing this surname played a significant role in the history of Europe. The House of Este was a powerful dynasty that produced many illustrious figures, including several Dukes of Ferrara and Modena, and the British Queen, Victoria.

Today, the last name Estes is common in the United States, more specifically in states like Texas, California, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. It is also fairly prevalent in England. Despite its Italian derivation, it appears to be less common in modern-day Italy.

Variations of the surname Estes

The surname Estes, primarily originating from Portugal, Spain and Italy, extends back to the Roman Empire. It has multiple variants, spelling differences, and surnames of the same origin across various cultures and countries.

For example, Este, Estez, Esté, Estéz, Estis, and Estice are some spelling variations. In some countries such as Italy, the name has been altered to include the noble Este family’s name from 'd'Este', further leading to variations like d'Estes, Deste, D'este.

In Spain, given the language's nature, it might also be spelled as "Estez" or "Estévez". Similarly, in Portuguese culture, with the common addition of 'ez' to indicate "son of", Estes could evolve as Esteves, Estavez or Estevez.

French variations may likely include Lestes or L'estes. "Este" being "east" in Spanish, the surname might be translated or adapted in other languages, leading to east-related surnames.

However, it is essential to note that cultural, regional, and historical factors greatly influence surname variants, making each unique. Therefore, while the names mentioned above may be variants or originate from Estes, they may individually carry their own distinct history, influences, or derivations.

Famous people with the name Estes

• Richard Estes: A famed American artist known for his photorealistic paintings.
• Simon Estes: A renowned African-American opera singer, one of the leading bass-baritones in the world.
• Will Estes: An American actor best known for his role in the CBS police drama "Blue Bloods".
• Bob Estes: An American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.
• Estelle Estes: An American pageant winner who was crowned Miss America in 1924.
• John Estes: Popularly known as "Sleepy" John Estes, was an American blues guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist.
• Billie Sol Estes: An American businessman known infamously for a series of business frauds in Texas.
• Angelica Estes: An American professional soccer player, currently playing as a midfielder for Brynas IF.
• Douglas Estes: A notable author, professor, and pastor in the field of biblical and theological studies.
• Rob Estes: An American actor known for his roles in soap operas and crime dramas, including "Melrose Place" and "Silk Stalkings".
• Eric Estes: An American academic and the current president of Brown University.
• Elizabeth Estes: An American actress and writer, known for her roles in "Last Will" and "Unusual Suspects".
• Abram M. Estes: An American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives.
• Billy Estes: An American actor and producer known for "Bridget Jones’s Baby" and "Spectre".

Other surnames

EsteEstebEsteepEsteipEstempsEstenEstepEstepaEstepeEstephEstepinalEsteppEsteppeEsteptEsterbrookEsterbrookeEstersonEstey