Surname Masten - Meaning and Origin
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Masten: What does the surname Masten mean?
The last name Masten is of English origin and derived from an Old English pre-7th century word, "maesten". The word "maesten" translates to "mast" in modern English, referring mainly to the mast of a ship. It was typically used as a nickname for a tall, upright person, much like a mast. Also, in some contexts, it was given to a person who made or worked with masts, indicating an occupational surname. This type of surname was common during medieval times. Therefore, individuals with the Masten surname likely have ancestors who were either tall in stature or worked professionally with ship masts. It's also worth noting that surnames can have different meanings or origins in different cultures and languages, so the aforementioned interpretation is based on its English etymology.
Order DNA origin analysisMasten: Where does the name Masten come from?
The surname Masten is of English origin, deriving from the Old English "maesten," which means "master." It emerged as a surname during the early medieval period in Britain and often denoted someone who was a master of their profession or household. As a result of emigration from England during the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname Masten was introduced to North America and it spread throughout colonial settlements. Early records show that individuals with this name were among the first settlers in Virginia. Today, the Masten surname is found in higher concentrations in the United States, especially in the states of New York and California. Despite its origins in England, the Masten name is relatively rare in the United Kingdom in modern times. Overall, it's a fairly uncommon surname, but it has a moderate prevalence in the United States.
Variations of the surname Masten
The surname Masten likely originates from Dutch or Germanic roots. Its several variants are influenced by geographic distribution, cultural assimilation, or even clerical errors. Variations of the surname Masten include Mastin, Maston, Mast, Mastenbrook, and Maasen.
Dutch or German surnames often saw variation when families emigrated to English-speaking regions. For instance, the alternate spellings Maston and Mastin might have been used to preserve the pronunciation of Masten in an English context.
In the case of Mastenbrook, a geographic component — "brook" (translated from "beek" in Dutch or "bach" in German) — is added, implying the name could be topographical, referring to a family who lived by a brook.
The variant Maasen is more closely linked to the Dutch "Maas", a common prefix in Dutch surnames. It also suggests a geographic origin relating to the River Maas flowing through the Netherlands and Belgium.
In German, “mast” refers to a fattening pen for pigs or "food" in general, which may suggest an occupational origin for the surname. Hence, Mast, Masten, or Mastin could potentially signify families involved in animal herding or hospitality industries. However, these interpretations should be taken as speculative rather than definitive.
Famous people with the name Masten
- Marqise Lee Masten, American actor from the television series "Queen Sugar".
- Dottie Masten, former NFL cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys
- Bob Masten, prominent stock photographer and owner of Bob Masten Phtography & Source
- Lonnie Masten, former NFL running back for the Oakland Raiders
- Bryan Masten, NASCAR driver
- Jimmy Masten, professional hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers
- Harriet Louise Masten, 19th-century opera singer
- Alicia Masten, Miss New Mexico USA 2020
- Peter Masten, former basketball player in the NBA
- Thomas Masten, Associate Professor at Claremont Graduate University