Best
What is the origin of the last name Best?
Meaning and origin
The surname Best originates from the Old English word "besta," meaning beast or animal. It was often used as a nickname or occupational name for someone involved in animal husbandry or a person displaying characteristics associated with animals, such as strength or agility. Over time, the surname evolved and became hereditary, spreading across different regions and social classes. Today, the name Best is found worldwide, encompassing a diverse range of individuals with ancestral ties to this ancient English word.
The longer story
The last name Best is of English origin and can be traced back several centuries. Here are some facts about the name:
1. The surname Best is derived from the Middle English word "beste," which means "beast" or "animal." This may have originally been a nickname for someone who resembled an animal or had animal-like qualities.
2. The name Best is relatively common in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Scotland.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#911
Best was the 911th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 37,923 people, about 13 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Best
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Best is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.