Hester History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hester

What does the name Hester mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Hester comes from when its first bearer worked as a ‘Hayrester’ or ‘Hairster,’ as originally ‘hayre’ was “a garment made of goat’s hair. Hayrester, a maker of hayres.’ ‘Hayresters, workers in horsehair.’ ” 1

Alternatively, the name could have been for someone who was a “hastiler, one who superintended the roasts,” from the Old French word “hasteur” or the Old French word “haste” for a “turnspit” or “spit.” 2

Early Origins of the Hester family

The surname Hester was first found in Essex, where John Haster was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1440. Years later, Thomas Haster was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Wiltshire in 1576. 2

Hester Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Hester include Haster, Hasster, Hester and others.

Early Notables of the Hester family

Distinguished members of the family include

• John Hester (d. 1593), English distiller, or, as he styled himself, ‘practitioner in the Spagericall Arte,’ who carried on business at Paul’s Wharf, London, from about 1579 until his death in 1593(NBi…

Hester Ranking

In the United States, the name Hester is the 823^rd most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 3