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Osten Family History

Osten Name Meaning

German: topographic name derived from German Ost(en) ‘east’ or a habitational name from any of several places so named in northern Germany. In some cases it is a shortened form of von der Osten meaning ‘from the Oste river’ a name borne by an old Pomeranian noble family. Flemish and Dutch: patronymic from the personal name Oste from ancient Germanic Austa meaning ‘east’. Compare Hosten . Swedish: of German origin (see 1 above) or an ornamental name from ost ‘east’ + the adjectival suffix -en a derivative of Latin -enius ‘relating to’. It is very rare in Sweden.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Similar surnames: Oster, Osen, Kosten, Olsen, Ooten, Otten, Orten, Josten, Bolten

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Where is the Osten family from?

You can see how Osten families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Osten family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Osten families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 3 Osten families living in New York. This was about 50% of all the recorded Osten's in USA. New York had the highest population of Osten families in 1840.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Osten surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

View Census Data for Osten

What did your Osten ancestors do for a living?

View Census Data for Osten | Data not to scale

Top Male Occupations In 1940

Farmer
23%
Salesman
11%
Clerk
11%
Laborer
9%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

Bookkeeper
22%
Clerk
15%
Housekeeper
11%
Operator
11%

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What Osten family records will you find?

Census Records
There are 7,000 census records available for the last name Osten. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Osten census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.
Search US census records for Osten
Passenger Lists
There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Osten. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.
View all Osten immigration records
Draft Cards
There are 4,000 military records available for the last name Osten. For the veterans among your Osten ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.
View all Osten military records

Census Records

There are 7,000 census records available for the last name Osten. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Osten census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Osten

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Osten. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Osten immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 4,000 military records available for the last name Osten. For the veterans among your Osten ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Osten military records

You've only scratched the surface of Osten family history

Discover More

What is the average Osten lifespan?

Between 1949 and 2004, in the United States, Osten life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1964, and highest in 1990. The average life expectancy for Osten in 1949 was 58, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Osten

Browse profiles of historical people with the Osten last name