Mester History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The family name Mester is thought to be of Norman origins. Originally, Mester was a name given to a person who behaved in a masterful manner. This was also an occupational name for a person who was the master of his craft deriving from the Old French word maistre, and the Old English word maister.

"There are three places called 'Les Moutiers,' 'Monasteria,' in the department of Calvados in Normandy; but if he were a Breton, as seems probable, Moutiers near La Guerche may be the more likely place for him to have come from. Robert, however, was no doubt a near relation of 'Lisois de Monasteriis,' a brave knight in the Conqueror's army in the Northern campaign of 1069, who, when the river Aire had stopped their progress for three weeks, sought for a ford both above and below, and at last with great difficulty discovered one, by which he crossed over at the head of sixty bold men-at-arms, and though assailed by the enemy with great force stoutly held his ground." 1

Early Origins of the Mester family

The surname Mester was first found in Yorkshire where "Robert 'de Mosters' was a tenant of Earl Alan's in Yorkshire 1086, and also held Truswell in Nottinghamshire, part of the great Richmond Fee." 1

According to Thoroton, Truswell or Tireswell was held by seven generations of Robert's descendants. Lisiardus de Monasterio, and Gundra his sister, occur in the county 1194-99 (Rotuli Curiae Regis): and Robert, in 1279, held two fees " pro Warda Castri de Richmond." - Gale's Richmondshire.

Early History of the Mester family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mester research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1600, 1610, 1624, 1627, 1637, 1639, 1640, 1653, 1660, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1675, 1679, 1680, 1684, 1685, 1687, 1690, 1691, 1710, 1715 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Mester History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mester Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Mester have been found, including Master, Masters, Mosters, Measter, DeMaster and many more.

Early Notables of the Mester family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Streynsham Master; Sir William Master (1600-1662) was an English politician, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1627; his son Thomas Master (1624-1680), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1660; John Master (1637-c.1680), an English physician; William Master (1627-1684), an English divine and writer; Sir Edward Master(s) (1610-1691), an English politician...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mester Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mester migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Mester were among those contributors:

Mester Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johannes Mester, aged 43, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 2

Mester Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Carl Mester, aged 30, who landed in Missouri in 1841 2
J F Mester, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 2
S Mester, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
A Mester, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
Veyceslon Mester, aged 30, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1854 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Mester (post 1700) +

Fred M. Mester, American politician, Circuit Judge in Michigan 6th Circuit, 1985-2001
Milan Mester (b. 1975), Montenegrin football manager and former player
Endre Mester (1903-1984), Hungarian physician, a pioneer of laser medicine
Mathias Mester (b. 1986), German two-time gold medalist Paralympian athlete
Tamás Mester (b. 1988), Hungarian footballer
Jorge Mester (b. 1935), Mexican conductor and music director of the Aspen Music Festival from 1970 to 1990

The Mester Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Non minor est virtus quam quaerere parta tueri
Motto Translation: It is no less an achievement to keep possession than to acquire it.

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 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)