Pfister is a German surname.

Pfister
Language(s)German
Origin
Meaningbaker (bakery)
Region of originBavaria, Switzerland, Rhineland
Other names
Variant form(s)Pfisterer, Feaster; Bäcker, Pistorius

Etymology

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"Pfister" comes from the Latin word for "baker": pistor, via the High German Consonant Shift that transformed the "p" into "pf". The name is found principally in those parts of ethnic Germany that were part of the Roman empire, while the native German word "Bäcker" is found elsewhere.

The etymology is evident in old towns throughout these parts where a "Pfisterngasse" (Baker Street) is commonly found, and still containing bakeries, such as Pfisterngasse in Solothurn.

People

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Notable people with the surname include:

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  • The "Feaster" surname was adopted by some Pfisters that immigrated to the United States. Pister was also used as misspelling of Pfister by German immigrants coming to the United States.[citation needed]

See also

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