East Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

East Name Meaning: From those that lived to the east of a wood or in an eastern wood or a regional name for someone who had migrated from the east of a place.

Originated from Anlo-Saxon words east and 'wudu' meaning wood.This surname has absorbed various other European names with similar meaning.

Discover how your East ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

East Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the East family

Profession Census Frequency
General Labourer 74
Living On Own Means 64
General Servant Domestic 55
Dress Maker 49
Cook Domestic 39
Farmer 36
Agricultural Labourer 32
Housemaid Domestic 27
Gardener Domestic 26
Scholar 26
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer 25
Laundress Wash 24
Carpenter 22
Domestic Servant 21
House Maid Domestic 19
Butcher 16
Laundress 15
Farm Labourer 15
Cabinet Maker 14
Carman 14
Clerk 14
Servant Domestic 14
General Domestic Servant 13
House Keeper Domestic 13
Dressmaker 12

East Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 East 100% 36,255
2 Aust 50% 2,817
3 Sait 50% 2,504
4 St John 0% 1,722
5 Eastoe 67% 1,285
6 Sate 25% 1,071
7 St George 11% 696
8 Ost 50% 533
9 St Clair 13% 525
10 Easto 80% 350
11 Seat 50% 344
12 Austee 33% 300
13 St Aubyn 13% 227
14 St Paul 14% 184
15 St Leger 13% 183
16 Site 0% 182
17 St Pier 0% 180
18 Austie 33% 172
19 Easte 80% 150
20 Aste 50% 140
21 Seate 40% 117
22 Sute 0% 103
23 Suit 25% 102

Did you know?

The surname East is the most popular version of all its varients

Search for the East family