Keister — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #7,317 in the US 4,560 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#7,317
▲ Up 688 since 2000
People in the US
4,560
1.55 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Keister Surname

What does the last name Keister mean?

The surname Keister carries the meaning "One who does." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 4,560 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Keister ranks as the #7,317 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Keister come from?

The Keister surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Keister name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Keister trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Keister
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #7,317
US Count (2010) 4,560
Per 100K People 1.55
First Letter K

Ethnic Distribution of Keister

According to the US Census, the Keister surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 4,560 Americans with the Keister last name.

White 95.68%
Black 0.37%
Hispanic 1.95%
Asian/PI 0.48%
Native American 0.24%
Two+ Races 1.27%
Ethnic distribution of the Keister surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White95.68%
Black0.37%
Hispanic1.95%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.48%
Native American0.24%
Two or More Races1.27%

Popularity of Keister Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Keister surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#8,005
3,824 people
Up 688
Census 2010
#7,317
4,560 people

The number of Americans with the Keister surname increased by 736 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Keister Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Keister ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Keister

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Keister.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Keister.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keister

The surname Keister is of English origin. One who does
The surname Keister is ranked #7,317 in the United States with approximately 4,560 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
One who does. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Keister surname is distributed as: 95.7% White. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Keister ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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