EAST

East

Origin: English

Meaning: The surname East is derived from the Old English word "east," which refers to the cardinal direction east, where the sun rises. It may have been used to describe someone who lived to the east of a particular place or who had some association with the east.

Distribution: The surname East is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the eastern regions of England. It is also present in other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Notable People:

• Edward East (1602–1697): An English clockmaker and watchmaker, known for his precision timepieces.

• Ben East (1889–1968): A British film director and screenwriter, who worked on a number of silent films in the early 20th century.

Coat of Arms: The East family coat of arms features a shield divided into quarters, with symbols representing elements such as strength, wisdom, and loyalty. The crest consists of a stag's head emerging from a crown, symbolising leadership and nobility.

Variants: Variants of the surname East include Easter, Easte, and Eastes.

References:

• Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (2008). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
• Cottle, B. (2007). The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Penguin UK.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

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

• Christopher
• David
• James
• John
• Mark
• Matthew
• Michael
• Paul
• Richard
• Robert

Female

• Christine
• Elizabeth
• Emma
• Julie
• Karen
• Linda
• Margaret
• Nicola
• Patricia
• Rachel
• Rebecca
• Sarah
• Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.