| ![Show Contents]() Secrest History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Germany
Etymology of SecrestWhat does the name Secrest mean? This name is derived from Zacharias, derived from the Hebrew given name Zechariah or Zaccaria, a fairly popular name in the 14th century. This name was borne by a Biblical prophet and in the New Testament by the father of John the Baptist. 1 Zacharias survives today as a mostly German surname. Alternatively, the name could have been a German occupational name for a sexton or churchwarden from the Middle German "sigiste." Originally, the sexton was a "the officer in a church in charge of the sacred vessels and vestments’, not, as now, the grave-digger." 2 Another source claims the name was from the Medieval Latin "sacrista." Early Origins of the Secrest familyThe surname Secrest was first found in Bavaria, where the family were anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. Early History of the Secrest familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Secrest research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1508 and 1587 are included under the topic Early Secrest History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Secrest Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Secrest, Zachreiss, Zecrest, Zacrest, Secreiss, Sacreiss, Sechreiss, Sachreiss, Zachrest, Zachreisst, Zechreiss, Zechreisst, Sacreisst, Secreisst, Secresst, Sacresst, Zecresst and many more. Early Notables of the Secrest familyMore information is included under the topic Early Secrest Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Secrest RankingIn the United States, the name Secrest is the 13,648th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3 Migration of the Secrest familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Johannes Zachrias, who settled in Philadelphia in 1736; and a Johan Georg Zachrias, who was on record in Philadelphia in 1749.
- Bahlow, Hans, Dictionary of German Names. translated by Edda Gentry, Wisconsin: The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-924119-35-7)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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