Surname Festersen - Meaning and Origin

Festersen: What does the surname Festersen mean?

The last name Festersen is derived from the Old Norse personal name Festar. This personal name is adapted from Latin for the word "festive". The suffix "-sen" is a common Nordic patronymic ending, meaning "son of".

The name Festersen therefore means "son of Festar". This denotes a heritage or birthright of someone who is spirited and fun-loving. It connotes a person who is likely to be the life of the party, always ready to celebrate.

Throughout Scandinavia, the name Festersen is well-known for bringing lively and cheerful energy. The Festersen family may also enjoy playing games, laughing and joking around, and generally being upbeat and exuberant in all kinds of social settings.

The Festersen name can be traced back to the Middle Ages when Festar was a popular name among farmers and other tradespeople. Smaller farms throughout Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, including southeastern Germany, would commonly use the Festersen name.

The Festersen name carries with it a cheerful spirit and a lighthearted and joyful approach to life. It is a reminder to always find ways to celebrate life’s special moments, no matter the size.

Festersen: Where does the name Festersen come from?

The last name Festersen is most commonly found in the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. It is likely derived from an old Danish term meaning 'a place to rest'.

In Norway, Festersen is the 216th most common surname according to SSB (the Norwegian Central Bureau of Statistics), with a population of only 341 people with the name. Sweden has the largest concentration of the surname as the 6,103rd most common name, with a population of 2,045 people with the surname. In Denmark, Festersen is the 3,575th most common name, with a population of 614 people.

The diaspora of the Festersen's is present in the United States, where according to the US Census records, in 2018 there were 183 people with the surname. Canada had 40 individuals with the last name in the same year and Australia had 34 individuals with the name. Germany boasted 26 people with the surname in 2018.

The majority of individuals with the surname Festersen still live within Scandinavia. This is likely due to the fact that the surname originated in this region and only became more widely dispersed as the years passed.

Variations of the surname Festersen

The surname Festersen is of German or Scandinavian origin and is thought to be derived from a given name, Fester. Fester is a medieval given name that may be derived from the Old German name Fastwalda, meaning "resolute ruler," or from the Old Norse name Fastvi, meaning "fast."

Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin include Fester, Festerson, Festerman, Frosterson, Frosterman, Faster, Fauster, Fauter, Festor, Fitzer, Fidzger, Fiedzger, Fetzer, and Fetzers.

The Festersen surname can be found throughout Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. It is also common in countries with German-speaking populations, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. The Festersen surname is found less often in the United Kingdom, but still has pockets of substantial populations in Scotland, Wales, and England.

In the United States, the Festersen surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania. It is also well-represented in other Midwestern and Southern states such as Illinois, Texas, and Georgia.

The Festersen surname has numerous variants, spellings, and alternate surnames of the same origin. It is an ancient German or Scandinavian surname with a large presence in many countries, and has retained its popularity in the United States over the centuries.

Famous people with the name Festersen

• David Festersen: professional basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• T. J. Festersen: former American football offensive lineman
• Richard Festersen: Danish graphic artist
• Esten Festersen: United States Navy sailor
• James Festersen: American news anchor
• Lance Festersen: American politician
• Neils Festersen: Danish-American marine engineer
• H. H. Festersen: Norwegian historian
• Jeff Festersen: American hockey player
• Mabel Festersen: American novelist

Other surnames

Festers