Last Name Lasater

The surname Lasater is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "læs" meaning "lesser" or "smaller," and the Old Norse word "atar" meaning "farmstead." Therefore, the name Lasater likely originated as a toponymic name, indicating someone who lived at a smaller farmstead, or it could have been an occupational name for a less important farm laborer. The name was brought to America by English and Scandinavian settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lasater

The meaning and origin of the last name Lasater

The surname Lasater is of English origin, derived from a place name or a nickname associated with a specific location. The name is believed to have originated from either Lassater, a village in Northumberland, England, or from the Old Norse personal name "Leysteinn," meaning "calm stone." Over time, the surname evolved into various spellings, including Lasiter, Lasator, and Lasdus, reflecting phonetic spelling changes. The family name Lasater migrated to America with early English settlers in the 17th century and has since been found primarily in the southeastern United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lasater

The surname Lasater is primarily concentrated in the southern United States, particularly in states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. It is also found in smaller numbers in other regions of the U.S., including California, Florida, and Missouri. In addition to the U.S., there are some instances of the Lasater surname in Canada, primarily in British Columbia. The name's origins can be traced back to Germany, with variations such as Lasater, Lastinger, and Lasiter originating from the region around Baden-Württemberg. However, the exact reasons for the migration of individuals bearing this surname to North America are not fully documented.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lasater

The surname Lasater has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and regional pronunciation over time. Some of the most common spelling variations include Lasiters, Lasatir, Laseter, Lasateer, Lasattir, Lasatti, Lasattiere, Lasattiere, Lasator, Lasatore, Lasatora, Lasatoro, Lassater, Lassiter, and Lassatte. These differences may have arisen due to factors such as the scribe's regional dialect, personal spelling preferences, or errors in the copying process over time. Despite these variations, all of these spellings are believed to originate from the same root name, which likely originated in Germany or France and was later brought to the English-speaking world by early settlers.

Famous people with the last name Lasater

The Lasater family has produced several notable figures across various fields. One of the most renowned is Charles A. Lasater, who served as the Director of the United States Mint from 1948 to 1953. During his tenure, he oversaw the production of coins during the Korean War and introduced the Silver Dollar Coinage Revival Act in 1946.

In the realm of music, Steve Lasater is a well-known musician who has collaborated with artists such as John Denver, Kenny Rogers, and Willie Nelson. He played harmonica on their songs "Annie's Song," "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," and "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan."

In the scientific community, Dr. Robert A. Lasater is a respected figure. He served as the Associate Director for Science at NASA's Johnson Space Center and played a significant role in several space missions, including Apollo 13 and the Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions.

Lastly, in the field of literature, Janet Lasater is an acclaimed poet and translator. She has published numerous poetry collections and received various accolades for her works, such as the Pushcart Prize and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship.

Genealogical research on the last name Lasater

The surname Lasater originates from the Old French and English given names "La Hauteur" and "Lassater," which mean "the high one" and "the son of Lassa or Lachsa," respectively. The name evolved through various spellings, including Lositer, Losetar, Lassattor, and Lasater, due to regional dialects and transcription errors over time.

The earliest known record of the name is in England, with John Lositer appearing in the 1379 Poll Tax records for Norfolk. Several branches of the family later migrated to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Some Lasaters settled in counties Antrim, Down, and Tyrone.

In the United States, the first record of the name is William Lasater who arrived in Virginia in 1653. The family subsequently expanded across various states, notably Texas and Oklahoma during the 19th century due to westward expansion. Notable figures with the Lasater surname include James B. Lasater, a Union Army General during the American Civil War, and Henry G. Lasater, who served as the 25th Governor of Missouri.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Lasater"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends