14,214 Global East Family Members

East Family History

This interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century "east", east, and is topographical for someone who lived in the eastern part of a town or settlement, or outside it to the east. It could also be a regional name for someone who had migrated westwards and was therefore regarded as coming from the east. Other examples of such name are West, North and South. Topographical surname were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages...