Epstein History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Israel

Etymology of Epstein

What does the name Epstein mean?

One cannot simply look at the etymology of a Jewish name to truly understand the origins. Rather understanding the vast historical context along with the name will guide you. However, it does make Jewish surnames extremely difficult to trace back to their origins.

Jewish surnames encompass diverse languages, and situational experiences. And attempting to translate words proves to be a challenge as well without context. 1

The Jewish name Epstein was derived from various sources. It is one of the oldest Jewish family names and appears in records as early as 1392. In most cases, Epstein is a habitation name adopted from one of the town names Eppstein in Bavaria, Eppstein in Hesse, or Ebstein in Styria, Austria. The Ebstein's of Styria descend from the Benveniste family, who were expelled from Spain in 1492. Some of this family kept its name and moved to Turkey, the other branch were Levites came to Ebstein, Styria. In Old High German, "ebur" meant 'boar' and "Stein" meant 'stone' and this may have been the origin for those place names. Over the centuries, this name was also assumed by many Jews ornamentally, simply because it was so well known.

Epstein Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Epstein, Epstin, Epsteina, Eppstein, Epsteen, Eppenstein, Ebstein, Epsztejn and many more.

Epstein Ranking

In the United States, the name Epstein is the 3,264^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 2

Epstein migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Epstein Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Sussmann Epstein, who settled in New York in 1848 with his relatives Caroline and Barbara Epstein
G Epstein, who arrived in Texas in 1850-1906 3
Joseph Epstein, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1853 3
Margaretha Philippine Epstein, who arrived in America in 1857 3
Philip Epstein, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1858 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Epstein (post 1700) +

Jason Wolkow Epstein (1928-2022), American editor and publisher, he received the National Book Award for Distinguished Service to American Letters
Jeffrey Edward Epstein (1953-2019), American financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide while in jail
Hedy Epstein (1924-2016), German-born, Jewish-American political activist and Holocaust survivor
Robert Epstein Ph.D. (b. 1953), American psychologist, professor, author, and journalist
Howard Norman "Howie" Epstein (1955-2003), American bassist, best known for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Philip G Epstein (1909-1952), American screen writer in Hollywood
Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959), American-born British sculptor who is noted for his busts and his massive, controversial works, such as the marble Venus (1917)
Fred J. Epstein (1937-2006), American internationally renowned pediatric neurosurgeon
Julius J. Epstein (1909-2000), Oscar-winning American screenwriter
Benjamin P. Epstein, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1920
... (Another 29 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Kaganoff, Benzion C. A Dictionary of Jewish names and their history. Schocken Books, 1977. Digital
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)