Surname Kistemaker - Meaning and Origin
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Kistemaker: What does the surname Kistemaker mean?
The last name Kistemaker is an occupational surname of Dutch origin, derived from the Dutch terms 'Kistemaker' or 'Kistenbouwer' meaning 'basket maker or basket builder'. This surname originated in the early Middle Ages when basketry was an important part of daily life in Europe, creating many opportunities for an entrepreneurial individual to develop a livelihood in basket making and related trades.
Today it is a common surname in the Netherlands, and is also found in large numbers in Germany, Belgium, and other parts of Northern Europe. As a result of Dutch immigration to America during the 1800s, many immigrants adopted the Kistemaker surname and brought it with them to the US and Canada.
As a symbol of many of the hard-working Dutch people of the time, the Kistemaker surname stands for independence, craftsmanship, and industriousness. It reflects a proud and enterprising family history and is a reminder of the many contributions the Dutch community have made to contemporary culture.
Order DNA origin analysisKistemaker: Where does the name Kistemaker come from?
The surname Kistemaker is most commonly found in the Netherlands, particularly in Friesland and Overijssel provinces. In addition, the surname Kistemaker has a history of being found in South Africa, particularly the Afrikaner population.
In the Netherlands, it is estimated that there are approximately 6000 bearers of the surname, with the provinces of Friesland and Overijssel housing a large portion of those bearers. Most Kistemakers descend from a common ancestor, originally from Leadenhaegen in Friesland, a small village near the city of Leeuwarden. In South Africa, the minority Afrikaner population carries the name, with a rise of numerous Kistemaker families arriving during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The origins of the name Kistemaker are believed to derive from the Dutch word kistemaakster, a title given to furniture and crate makers. The name is sometimes found written as Kistemacher, Kistmeijer, and Kistermaaker depending on the region and dialect spoken.
Today, the name is quite rare. Using the Netherlands National Register of Persons, the name Kistemaker appears in less than one percent of registered Dutch citizens. In South Africa, the name Kistemaker appears to be rarer still.
Variations of the surname Kistemaker
The surname Kistemaker is derived from the Dutch word kist, meaning "chest" or "box," and the word maker, meaning "maker." It is an occupational name for a chest or box maker. Variants of the name include Kistemaker, Cistemaker, Kistemaker, Kystemaker, Kystmakers, Kystmaeker, Kesslermaker, Kistermaker, Kistemakers, and Kstersmaker. Minor spelling variations of the name are also sometimes seen.
In some variations of the surname, Kistemaker can be seen as a patronymic surname, a name derived from a father's name. For example, a patronymic form of Kistemaker can be "Kistersen," which literally translates to "son of Kister." There are many other patronymic variants, such as Kistereson, Kisteresen, Kistenmaker, Kistenmaecker, Kistenmakers, Kistenmaken, Kistenmaken, and Kystmaken.
In Dutch records, the name is sometimes seen as Kistenmacher, a spelling variation and Netherlands regional variant of the surname. This variation can also be seen as Kistemacher in Germany. Another German variant of the surname is Kistermacher.
Kistemaker can also be found as a surname simplified by immigration officials from many different countries. Names such as Kitsmaker, Citsmaker, Kystsmaker, Kestersmaker, and Kystmaker are all forms of the original Kistemaker surname.
Famous people with the name Kistemaker
- Suzanna Kistemaker: Dutch television presenter, scriptwriter and journalist
- Sierd de Vos: Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
- Dirk Kistemaker: Dutch calculus scholar
- Rik Kistemaker: Dutch television personality
- Paul Kistemaker: Dutch performance artist
- Jos Kistemaker: Dutch criminologist
- Pieter Kistemaker: Dutch composer and pianist
- Jan Kistemaker: Dutch theologian
- Karel Kistemaker: Dutch cabaret artist
- Bart Kistemaker: Dutch footballer