Frequency: (158)
(number of times this surname appears in a sample database of 88.7 million names, representing one third of the 1997 US population)
German, Dutch, and Jewish (Ashkenazic): from Middle High German, Middle Low German, Middle Dutch westen, German Westen ‘west’, hence a topographic name for someone who lived to the west of a settlement, or regional name for one who had migrated from further west. The Jewish name may also be of ornamental origin.
GIVEN NAMES: Jewish 5%; German 4%. Shosh, Shoshana; Ulrich.
See the Key to the Dictionary or consult the General Introduction for further explanation.
