Show ContentsHoster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hoster

What does the name Hoster mean?

The name Hoster finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a 'Hayrester' or 'Hairster,' as originally 'hayre' was "a garment made of goat's hair. Hayrester, a maker of hayres.' 'Hayresters, workers in horsehair.' " 1

Alternatively, the name could have been for someone who was a "hastiler, one who superintended the roasts," from the Old French word "hasteur" or the Old French word "haste" for a "turnspit" or "spit." 2

Early Origins of the Hoster family

The surname Hoster was first found in Essex, where John Haster was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1440. Years later, Thomas Haster was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Wiltshire in 1576. 2

Early History of the Hoster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoster research. Another 43 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1579 and 1593 are included under the topic Early Hoster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoster Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Hoster has been recorded under many different variations, including Haster, Hasster, Hester and others.

Early Notables of the Hoster family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hoster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hoster family to Ireland

Some of the Hoster family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Hoster migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Hoster or a variant listed above:

Hoster Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johan Wilhelm Hoster, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1741 3
  • Wilhelm Hoster, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1763 3
Hoster Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jacob Hoster, who landed in New York in 1835 3
  • Charles Hoster, aged 24, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 3


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. 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)


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