Surname Mestes - Meaning and Origin
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Mestes: What does the surname Mestes mean?
The last name Mestes comes from the Spanish word ‘mestizo’, which means mixed or of two origins. The word originally referred to someone of European and Amerindian ancestry, but over time it has broadened to include anyone of mixed race or cultural background.
The origin of the name is believed to have come to the present-day Iberian Peninsula with the Islamic Moorish Empire from North Africa. ‘Mestizo’ was soon adopted into the Romance languages spoken in Spain and Portugal and over time began to refer to any type of mixing of racial or ethnic heritages.
At the same time that this word was being borrowed into Spanish and Portuguese as ‘mestizo’, it was also adapted into other Romance languages, such as Catalan, Portuguese, and French, resulting in the surnames Mestes, Mestiço, Mestre, and Mestier. Over time, these surnames were passed down the generations, and they have become quite prevalent in certain parts of Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, and other Latin American countries.
The name is often associated with multiculturalism, as it reflects a family’s diverse background and culture. To this day, many individuals and families throughout Spain, Portugal, and Latin America proudly claim the Mestes surname and use it to honor and celebrate their multicultural heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMestes: Where does the name Mestes come from?
The last name Mestes is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. It originates from the Spanish language, where it was a variant of the surname Mesta which was used to identify members of a trading guild of merchants and herdsmen that formed in Spain during the 12th century.
In the United States, the last name Mestes is most prevalent in California, where it ranks as the 3,915th most popular last name. Next in popularity is Texas, followed by New York, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. It is also quite common in Canada, although less so than the United States.
The majority of those bearing the Mestes surname are descended from Spanish conquistadors and settlers who arrived in the New World during the 1500s and 1600s. This surname was also brought to North America by Spanish Jews who sought religious freedom in the New World colonies.
Today, the majority of those bearing the surname Mestes are of Spanish descent, although there are those with Mexican and Jewish heritage in their background. Given its Spanish origin, it is likely that the family is large and widespread throughout Latin America and Spain, making it one of the more widely spread surnames within the Hispanic community.
Variations of the surname Mestes
Mestes is an uncommon surname of English origin, probably derived from the Old English personal name, Mæst, which is likely derived from an old Germanic element, maist, meaning ‘greatest’.
Variant spellings of Mestes include Mostes, Mustes, and Mastes. Compounded variants include Master, Masterson, Masters, and Masterman. Derivative surnames include Maestes, Maester, Mayster, Maysterman, Maister, Maisterman, Mayster, and Maistre, as well as a variety of spellings of the same root words.
Alternate spellings of Mestes can also be found: Meastes, Mestis, Mostas, Mustis. Compounded variations of Mestes include Maister, Maisterman, Meister, Meistre, and Meysterman.
Various spelling variations of the Mestes surname exist in England, Scotland, Wales, Germany and Spain. The root word is still recognizable in modern languages, such as Spanish, where the word maestro is still used to mean ‘teacher’ or ‘master’.
The popularity of the Mestes surname is low, with the surname currently being held by around 400 people, with the most densely populated region being Australia.
Despite its sparse popularity, several notable people have the Mestes surname, such as NFL player Renner Mestes, baseball player Pat Mustes, scholar Robert Masters, and actor Carey Means.
In conclusion, the Mestes surname has its roots in Old English and Germanic roots, and has a variety of variant spellings and surnames of similar origin. Notable individuals with the Mestes surname come from various backgrounds in the United States, England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, and Spain.
Famous people with the name Mestes
- Orlando Mestes: professional ballerina and choreographer
- Carlos Mestes: Argentinian-born musician
- Nacho Mestes: professional chessmaster
- Jesús Mestes: Spanish footballer
- Rogelio Mestes: former Uruguayan footballer
- Manu Mestes: drummer for the Spanish rock band Santa
- José Carlos Mestes: Brazilian jazz guitarist
- Víctor Mestes: Spanish soccer player
- Jérôme Mestes: Belgium football goalkeeper
- Claudio Mestes: Argentine professional bodybuilder