TESTER
The surname Tester has its roots firmly planted in the British Isles, specifically within the county of England.
It is an occupational surname derived from the Middle English word testere, meaning a headpiece or helmet. Tester was therefore originally bestowed upon individuals who manufactured or sold headgear, a role of considerable importance in medieval society where protective headgear was essential to both warfare and ceremonial functions.
Variations of the surname that appear in historical records include Tester, Testar and Testard. The earliest documented instance is that of Roger Testard in 1135, recorded in the Cartulary of Osney Abbey, Oxfordshire, during the reign of King Stephen. Subsequent entries further illuminate the surname’s history: Hugh Testard in 1172 (Documents illustrative of the Social and Economic History of the Danelaw); Henry Testard in 1273 (Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire); Thomas Tester in 1551 (Sussex Wills); and the christening of Walter, son of Walter Testor, on 10 July 1643 at St. Benet's, Paul's Wharf, London.
In addition to the occupational derivation, linguistic evidence suggests a French connection. The surname may also appear as a nickname derived from the Old French word testard, itself a pejorative form of teste (head), ultimately originating from Late Latin testa (earthenware pot). This route of surname formation was common in the early 12th century, when personal nicknames relating to physical attributes or peculiarities were increasingly adopted as hereditary surnames.
The Christian religious background of the period is reflected in the documentation of the name. The earliest Church register record in Hampshire dates from the marriage of Mary Tester and Richard Stephens on 8 September 1734, at Droxford. An early settler bearing the name, Elizabeth Tester, was recorded in Barbados, where she died in the parish of St. Michael's on 10 March 1678.
These documented instances confirm the longevity and persistence of the surname Tester through the centuries, from its medieval occupational roots to its continued use in contemporary English-speaking societies.
Typical given names associated with the Tester surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Kevin
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Barbara
- Catherine
- Claire
- Deborah
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
Similar and related surnames
- Teaster
- Testa
- Tesler
- Test
- Tessitore
- Tastier
- Teste
- Daster
- Dastoor
- Dastor
- Dastur
- Desideri
- Desiderio
- Desitter
- Desoutter
- Dessiter
- Dester
- Desterre
- Destree
- Destro
- Desutter
- Deuster
- Dewster
- Dezitter
- Dezutter
- Diestro
- Dister
- Distor
- Dizdar
- Dizdari
- Doostdar
- Dosseter
- Dossetor
- Dossetter
- Dossiter
- Dossitter
- Doster
- Duester
- Duister
- Duster
- Dyster
- Dziadura
- Tastard
- Teissedre
- Testar
- Testard
- Testerman
- Testler
- Testor
- Testore
- Testorf
- Testori
- Testre
- Testro
- Tewster
- Texter
- Tister
- Toster
- Toyster
- Tuster
- Testouri
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Tester in...
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Morse
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Tester are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Custard Cream.
There are approximately 2,700 people named Tester in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,308th most common surname in Britain. Around 41 in a million people in Britain are named Tester.
Surname type: Occupational name
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Tester
- Ralph Tester - Codebreaker (1901 to 1998)
- Scan Tester - Folk musician (1886 to 1)
- William Tester - Cricketer (1857 to 1890)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.