Surname Kwast - Meaning and Origin

Kwast: What does the surname Kwast mean?

The last name Kwast is of German origin. It is derived from the medieval personal name "Kwaszo" or "Kwasz" which is a pet form of the name element "Kwasone". This element is derived from the name "Gauzberg" which is an Old Germanic personal name, often a surname, derived from the element "gauts," meaning raven, plus "berg," meaning hill or mount.

Kwast is one of the many variations of the Kuest family name which includes Kwast, Kwasten, Kwest, Kwesten, Kuest, and Kuesten. These different variations may have occurred due to mistakes made while recording the name by a clerk or by an individual simply changing the spelling to suit their own taste.

Today, the name Kwast can be found in primarily in the Netherlands and Germany sometimes recorded as "van Kwast" meaning "from Kwast." It is also found in the United States although not as frequently. In the United States, the name Kwast is recorded most frequently in the state of Pennsylvania.

The name Kwast is linked to duty and responsibility with those who bear the name being seen as reliable and dependable. Generally, Kwast family members make loyal friends, and being people of action, they are usually successful in their endeavours. They are usually goal oriented and driven. Kwast family members take pride in what they have achieved and are often successfully able to pass their skills and knowledge down to their heirs.

Kwast: Where does the name Kwast come from?

The surname Kwast is primarily associated with Germany, Holland and the surrounding regions of Europe. It is believed that the name is of Dutch or German origin and derives from the Germanic word 'kwast', meaning 'brush'.

The origin of the Kwast surname dates back to the middle ages when families begain to take on hereditary surnames, identifying themselves by the name of their father or ancestor. In Germany, the development of the surname can be traced back to the early 12th century.

Today, the Kwast surname is most commonly found in Germany, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, South Africa and the United States. In Germany, the Kwast surname can be found, especially in the north-western regions of the country, especially in the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Holland, the town of Hamburg is particularly noted for having a large concentration of the surname.

In Belgium, the number of households that carry the name Kwast is on the rise, especially in the Flemish region. In addition, the surname is found in smaller numbers in Denmark, South Africa and the United States.

Overall, the surname Kwast is still relatively common today, especially in Germany, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, South Africa and the United States. It is worth noting, however, that the surname has undergone many spelling adjustments throughout the years, with many variations, such as vanKwast, van de Kwast and Qwast, commonly found today.

Variations of the surname Kwast

The surname Kwast is of Dutch origin. There are a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for this name.

Kwast is the most common form, but it can also be spelled as Kwaast, Kvast, Kwaaste, Kuwaast, Kwaasten, Kwasten, Kwaaster, Kwaasters, Kwaster, Kwasters, Kvasters and Kwasteren. The Dutch names Van der Kwast/Van der Kwaast and Van der Kwasten/Van der Kwaasten are also common variants, meaning "of the Kwast/Kwaast."

Koster is another related Dutch name in which Kwast is derived from. The spelling variants for Koster are similar to Kwast, in addition to Costar, Costers, Kosters, Cohn, Coen, and Coens.

Kwast and Koster are considered toponymic surnames, derived from the name of the village the person originally lived in. The Dutch word kwast or koster translates to a "sexton," a person who kept the official church records. This is why those bearing such surnames most likely derive respective to church--related professions.

Kwast is primarily found in The Netherlands, with significantly fewer numbers in other countries such as Germany, Belgium, and England. The surname has spread with Dutch emigrants around the world, particularly to the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Famous people with the name Kwast

• Helge Kwast: is a German visual artist, art collector, musician, and concert promoter.
• Anne Brasseur: is a Luxembourgian politician from the Christian Social Party, who served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2019.
• Petra Boekhout, Baroness Van Boetzelaer: is a Dutch entrepreneur, philanthropist, and politician.
• Diderik van Boetzelaer: is a Dutch banker, investor, and entrepreneur.
• Pieter Kwast: was a Dutch astronomer who worked at Leiden Observatory and served as director of the observatory from 1831 to 1834.
• Willem Johannes Joseph Kwast: was a Dutch General in 1914 at the start of World War I.
• Wim Kwast: is a Dutch poet, novelist, and literary critic.
• Helma Roerink-Kwast: is a Dutch diplomat and Ambassador to Ethiopia.
• Jean-Claude Kwast: is a Luxembourgian author, screenwriter, and film producer.
• Anna Kwast: is a Dutch journalist and writer. She is the author of several books on women's rights and gender equality.

Other surnames

Kwastek