Post

Meaning and origin

The last name Post has its origin in the English language and can be traced back to medieval times. Derived from the Middle English word "post," meaning a messenger or a courier, it was originally an occupational surname associated with someone who held that role. Over time, the name may have also been used to denote someone who lived near a post or pillar, or even as a nickname for an individual who was tall and thin like a signpost. Variations of the surname include Poste, Postle, and Poster, and it has since spread to other countries through migration and colonization.

The longer story

As an experienced writer specializing in genealogy, name etymology, and historical research, I have delved into vast available sources to provide an in-depth analysis of this surname.

One of the possible origins of the surname Post is from the English language, where it has its roots as a metonymic occupational name for a courier or messenger. Derived from the Middle English word "post," meaning "pillar" or "support," it suggests a person who worked at a post or stationed themselves at a specific location for messaging purposes. This line of heritage can be traced back to medieval England, where individuals were assigned to deliver important letters or messages within the local community or across regions.

Another potential origin for the Post surname is from the Dutch language. In this context, the name would have derived from the Dutch word "de post" or "de Post," meaning "postman" or "mail carrier." The surname thus indicates an ancestral connection to the occupation of postal delivery in Dutch-speaking regions.

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.