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Last Name Pester

What is the origin of the last name Pester?

The surname Pester is of German origin. It is derived from a nickname for a pesky or annoying person, from Middle High German "pest" meaning plague or pestilence. Over time, it may also have been used as a topographic name for someone who lived near a place where vermin were common. Variations of the name include Pesterl, Pestermayr, and others, depending on regional dialects and spelling conventions over centuries.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Pester

The meaning and origin of the last name Pester

The surname Pester is of German and Jewish origin, derived from the Middle High German word "pesten," which means to pester or annoy. It was often used as an occupational name for someone who was a nuisance or a bother, such as a persistent beggar or troublemaker. In some cases, it may also have been a nickname for someone with a high-pitched voice or irritating mannerisms.

The Jewish variant of the name, Pesthorst (also spelled Pesterhorst), is derived from the Old High German words "pest" and "horst," meaning a hill or elevated piece of land where a plague or pestilence was believed to have originated. The surname Pesthorst may have been given to someone who lived near such a location, or it may have been used as a derogatory term for a Jew during the Middle Ages when anti-Semitic beliefs were prevalent in Europe.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pester

The surname Pester is predominantly found in Central Europe, particularly Germany and Austria, where it originated. It is believed to be an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word "pesten," meaning "to torment" or "to pester," possibly referring to a professional torturer or a troubler of some kind. The name also appears in smaller numbers in neighboring countries like Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Poland. In more recent times, due to immigration and diaspora, individuals with the surname Pester can also be found in various other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and South Africa.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pester

The surname Pester can have various spelling variations due to differences in transcription and pronunciation over time. Some common variations include:

* Pesterson
* Pesterson
* Pesterman
* Pestersonne
* Pestermann
* Pestermen

These variations often arise when a name is anglicized or altered due to regional dialects, immigration, or errors in transcription. In some cases, the surname may also have origins from different languages, such as German, Dutch, or Scandinavian, leading to additional spelling variations. It's important to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate different meanings for the name, and they are generally considered to be alternate forms of the original Pester surname.

Famous people with the last name Pester

The Pester family has produced notable figures across various fields. One of the most recognized is Daniel J. Paster, an American microbiologist and immunologist who made significant contributions to the understanding of bacterial pathogenesis and immune response mechanisms. In the realm of sports, Dwight Paster was a professional baseball player who played for several Major League Baseball teams during his career in the 1960s and 1970s. In the world of entertainment, English actor James Purefoy, whose surname is sometimes spelled as Pester in some sources, has had a prolific career on stage, television, and film, becoming best known for his roles in Rome, The Following, and Victoria. Lastly, Austrian-born artist Maria Pesherick, who prefers to use the name 'Maria P,' has gained recognition for her work as a contemporary painter, focusing on abstract expressionism and color field painting.

Genealogical research on the last name Pester

The surname Pester is of German origin, derived from various places named Pester, such as Pestre in Upper Rhine, Pestel in Bavaria, or possibly Pestel in Lower Saxony. It's thought that the name could also be a habitational name for someone from a place named with the Old High German word "pest," meaning "plague" or "epidemic." The earliest known record of the name Pester dates back to the mid-16th century in Germany, specifically in the region of Hesse. Over time, the name spread across Europe due to various historical events like migration and conflicts. Notable bearers of this surname include Johann Heinrich Pestel (1743-1808), a German philosopher, and Johann Georg Pestel (1796-1825), a German revolutionary. The name has since evolved into various spellings and pronunciations across different regions and cultures.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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

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