Cosnett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The Cosnett surname first began to be used in the German state of Bavaria, some time after the 12th century, when hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules, and names that were derived from locations became particularly common. The family name Cosnett is a local surname. Originally denoting the proprietorship of an estate or influence within a village, the German preposition von, which means from or of, used with local names, was taken as a mark of aristocracy. The surname Cosnett was given to someone who lived in Franconia where their name rose to prominence through their involvement in the social and cultural affairs of the area.

Early Origins of the Cosnett family

The surname Cosnett was first found in Franconia, where the name was an integral part of the feudal society which would shape modern European history. Many prominent branches of the family would strive to make this name renowned as they contributed to the social, economic and political affairs of the region.

Early History of the Cosnett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cosnett research. Another 195 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1306, 1468, 1565, 1635, 1741, 1769, 1773, 1800 and 1810 are included under the topic Early Cosnett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cosnett Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Cosnett include Kaestner, Kastner, Kestner, Kastener, Kaestener, Kestener, Cestner, Kesstner, Kaesstner, Kasstner, Castner, Caestner, Koestner, Kostner, Coestner and many more.

Early Notables of the Cosnett family

Prominent among members of the name Cosnett in this period include Franz de Paula Andreas Joseph Bonaventura Castner von Collenbach (b.1769), Lord of the estate Collenbach near Staubing in Bavaria, who distinguished himself as a lawyer and major of the Bavarian regiment of Viechtach. Johann Georg Christian Kestner...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cosnett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cosnett family

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Paul Kastner, who settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania between 1683 and 1709; Conrad, Georg, and Peter Castner, who all arrived in New York City in 1709.

Contemporary Notables of the name Cosnett (post 1700) +

John Cosnett, retired English professional darts player
Richard James "Rick" Cosnett (b. 1983), Zimbabwean-born Australian actor, known for his role as Wes Maxfield in The Vampire Diaries and as Eddie Thawne in The Flash, cousin of Hugh Grant