BANNISTER
Bannister
Origin and Meaning
"Bannister" is an ancient British surname with roots in Old English. It is derived from the word "banastre," which referred to an innkeeper or hosteller. The name may have been occupational, denoting someone who worked at or owned an inn.
History
The surname Bannister has been documented in the British Isles for centuries. The earliest records date back to the 13th century, with variations of the name such as Bannastre and Banastre. The name has likely evolved over time due to dialectal variations and changes in spelling conventions.
Notably, the name Bannister gained prominence in the modern era due to the achievements of Sir Roger Bannister. In 1954, Sir Roger Bannister became the first athlete to break the four-minute mile barrier, an iconic moment in the history of athletics.
Distribution
The surname Bannister is most commonly found in England, particularly in regions with historic ties to the name. Variants of the surname may also be found in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom. Beyond the British Isles, Bannister can also be found in former British colonies where English settlers established communities.
Famous Bearers
- Sir Roger Bannister (1929-2018) - British middle-distance runner and neurologist, known for breaking the four-minute mile barrier in 1954.
- Steve Bannister - British rally driver who has competed in various rally championships.
Variants
Variants of the surname Bannister include Banastre, Banister, and Bannester.
There are approximately 11,469 people named Bannister in the UK. That makes it the 803rd most common surname in Britain. Around 176 in a million people in Britain are named Bannister.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Stephen
Female
- Amanda
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.