The surname "Teste" has multiple possible origins depending on the region where it is found.
1. Portuguese and French: It is a habitational name from various places named Teste or Teste, which are derived from the Latin word "testis," meaning "witness."
2. Italian: It can also originate from the Italian city of Testa, located in the province of Sondrio, Lombardy. The name is derived from the Latin word "caput," meaning "head."
3. Jewish (Ashkenazic): It may be a shortened form of the Jewish surname Testerman, which is an occupational name for a tanner or leather worker, derived from the German and Dutch word "Tester" or "Testor," meaning "tanner."
4. Spanish: It can also be found in Spain as a variant of the surname Estévez, which comes from the given name Esteban, a form of Stephen in Greek origin.
5. Surnames derived from physical characteristics: In some cases, Teste could potentially have been used to describe a person with a prominent head or skull. This is common for many surnames and not specific to Teste.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Teste
The meaning and origin of the last name Teste
The surname Teste is of Old French origin, derived from the word "testu" or "teson," which means thick-skulled or stubborn. It was originally a nickname given to someone with a strong and hard head, possibly indicating a tough or resilient personality. Over time, the name evolved into Teste in various forms across different countries, including Teste in Italy and Teixeira in Portugal. In France, it is commonly spelled Tesnière, Tester, or Testut, reflecting regional variations. The name Teste has been borne by individuals of note throughout history, including several French mayors and a renowned French surgeon named Joseph Testu.
Geographical distribution of the last name Teste
The surname Teste is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries due to its origin from the Old Portuguese word "testa," meaning head in English. This surname is common in Portugal, where it ranks among the top 300 most common last names. It also appears frequently in Brazil, the largest Portuguese-speaking country, due to mass migration during colonial times. Additionally, small communities bearing the Teste surname can be found in other Portuguese-speaking African countries like Angola and Mozambique, as well as Goa (India) where Portuguese influence is strong. The name has also reached the English-speaking world through immigration, particularly to countries like Canada and the United States, though it remains relatively rare outside of Portuguese communities.
Variants and spellings of the last name Teste
The surname Teste, which is of French origin, has several variations and alternate spellings due to transliteration and regional dialects over time. Some common variations include Teste, Teiste, Tesche, Tetze, Testi, Tetz, and Testers. In English-speaking countries, it may also be found as Tester or Tesiter. These variations often arise from differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions in various regions and languages. The name is derived from the word for head or skull in French, reflecting its original meaning.
Famous people with the last name Teste
Notable individuals with the surname Teste include:
1. António José de Almeida Testa (born 1943), a Portuguese politician who served as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002.
2. Georges Testa (1926-1985), a French actor known for his roles in films such as "The Hateful Eight" and "Borsalino."
3. Henrique Testa (born 1985), a Brazilian television presenter, actor, and model.
4. Jack Testa (1926-1997), an American politician who served in the New York State Senate for two terms.
5. Jean Testud (1803-1873), a French entomologist best known for his work on parasitic wasps.
6. Rui Testa (born 1972), a Portuguese footballer who played as a defender for clubs such as Benfica and Porto.
7. Samuel Testa (1854-1935), an Italian-American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Testa Produce Company in San Francisco.
Genealogical research on the last name Teste
The surname Teste, of French origin, is derived from the Old French word "testu" meaning thick-skulled or sturdy. It was originally a nickname for someone with a strong or thick head. The name emerged during the High Middle Ages and spread throughout France and neighboring regions due to the migration and settlement of the Normans, who were prominent in that period.
As French settlers migrated to other countries, particularly England, Belgium, Portugal, and Brazil, the name Teste was adopted and became widespread. In Portugal, it is pronounced "Tesh-teh" and often appears as Teixeira or Texeira due to phonetic adaptations over time. In Brazil, it is often spelled Teste or Tesete.
In England, variations of the name include Test, Teske, Tesche, Teschett, and Teschey, reflecting changes in pronunciation and spelling due to regional dialects and scribal errors. The name Teste can also be found in other parts of Europe, notably Belgium, where it is pronounced "Tess-teh" or "Tesh-teh."
In the United States, the name Teste has been predominantly found among French-Canadian immigrants and those with Portuguese roots. Notable figures bearing the surname include the American physician Daniel Teste and the Portuguese scientist Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco, both of whom made significant contributions to their respective fields.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name "Tesfaye" is of Ethiopian origin. It is derived from the Ge'ez word "Ts'fe Ya'Aze," which means "His Grace." The name is commonly found among the Amhara and Tigray et...
The origin of the surname Tesan is not explicitly clear as it may have roots from various ethnic backgrounds due to its relatively recent appearance. However, there are a few possi...
The surname "Tesche" is of German origin. It derives from a topographic name for someone who lived near a mill or a place called Tesche, which comes from the Middle High German wor...
The origin of the last name "Tesemsa" is not readily available or well-documented. It does not appear to have a clear or widely recognized origin or meaning in English.
The last name Tesfagabir is of Eritrean and Ethiopian origin. It is a combination of two words: "Tesfa," which means hope or expectation, and "gabir," which means strength or power...
The last name Tesfagabr originates from Eritrea and Ethiopia. It is derived from the Tigrinya language, with "Tesfa" meaning "hope" or "faith" and "Gabr" meaning "servant" or "devo...
The surname "Tesfahiwet" is of Eritrean and Ethiopian origin. It is a common surname in these two countries and probably has a special meaning in Amharic or Tigrigna, the languages...
The last name Tesfanew is of Ethiopian origin. It is a combination of the elements "Tesfa" meaning hope or trust, and "New" meaning "new" or "fresh." It is a common surname in Ethi...
The last name Tesfanish is of Eritrean and Ethiopian origin. It is derived from the Tigrinya word "tesfa" meaning "hope" and the suffix "-nish" which signifies belonging or affilia...
The last name "Tesfaye" is of Ethiopian origin. It is commonly found among people of Ethiopian and Eritrean descent. In Ethiopian culture, family names are often derived from the g...
The last name Tesfaye Abi is of Ethiopian origin. Tesfaye is a common Ethiopian surname, meaning "hope" or "my hope" in Amharic, which is one of the main languages spoken in Ethiop...
The last name "Tesfazghi" is of Eritrean and Ethiopian origin. It is an African surname that is commonly found in the Tigrinya-speaking ethnic groups of the region. The name is bel...
The last name "Tesfazgi" is of Eritrean and Ethiopian origin. It is commonly found among the Tigrinya-speaking people in both countries. The name is often derived from the Tigrinya...
