Pastor
A surname that usually began as a name for a shepherd or, later, a church pastor.
The #4,642 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 40,375 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname comes from the Latin word *pastor*, meaning “shepherd” or “herdsman.” In medieval and later European usage, the same word was also used for a Christian minister or parish priest, so the surname could arise from either sense. The historical excerpts also show related forms such as French *Le Pastur* and German/Dutch family-name forms, reflecting the spread of the word across several languages.
History
The name appears in historical records in more than one European language area, including English and Germanic regions. In English records, it can be found attached to clergy or church roles, while in other places it was likely used more broadly as an occupational byname. The modern surname in the United States may reflect direct immigration from Europe or adoption of the name in English-speaking communities.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Because *pastor* could mean both “shepherd” and “minister,” the surname can hide a double occupational history.
From the historical record
“Tllis is confirmed by the fact thai a John Marigold occurs aa ' pastor of Wflverton,' in Cheshire, in 1648. He seems to have died in i66a. 1663. John MaiTOld, of Waniton, t^i: WiUtalCbeHcr{i66o-SoXp. 177.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances