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The name Heaster is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone 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
The surname Heaster 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
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heaster research. Another 43 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1579 and 1593 are included under the topic Early Heaster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Heaster are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Heaster include Haster, Hasster, Hester and others.
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Heaster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Heaster or a variant listed above: Jacob Hester, who sailed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1753; John Haster to Philadelphia in 1766; L.B. Hester to San Francisco, California in 1850.