Show ContentsKostner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German state of Bavaria is the ancestral home of the Kostner family. Kostner is a local name. Kostner is a name for 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 Kostner family

The surname Kostner 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 Kostner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kostner 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 Kostner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kostner Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Kostner include Kaestner, Kastner, Kestner, Kastener, Kaestener, Kestener, Cestner, Kesstner, Kaesstner, Kasstner, Castner, Caestner, Koestner, Kostner, Coestner and many more.

Early Notables of the Kostner family

Prominent among members of the name Kostner 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 Kostner Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Kostner migration to the United States +

European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Kostners to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Kostner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Emilie Kostner, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
  • Johann Kostner, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
Kostner Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Anna Kostner, aged 19, who landed in America from Bichel, Austria, in 1909
  • Heinrich Kostner, aged 18, who landed in America from Schollnach, Germany, in 1910
  • Alexander Kostner, aged 31, who settled in America from Teuschnitz, Germany, in 1911
  • Georg Kostner, aged 4, who immigrated to America from Teuschnitz, Germany, in 1911
  • Anna Kostner, aged 17, who immigrated to the United States from Prerizel, Austria, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kostner (post 1700) +

  • Joseph O. Kostner, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1924 1
  • Walter Köstner (1936-1960), German fencer who represented the Unified Team of Germany in 1960 and 1964
  • Michael Kostner (b. 1969), German football coach and a former player
  • Lorenz-Günther Köstner (b. 1952), retired German footballer
  • Patrick Kostner (b. 1988), Austrian footballer
  • Isolde Kostner (b. 1975), Italian two-time gold, silver and bronze medalist Alpine skier, Italian flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2002 Olympics
  • Carolina Kostner (b. 1987), Italian six-time gold medalist figure skater, the 2012 World champion


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, November 24) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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