The

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

Guest is derived from the

Old English Old English (, ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the early Middle Ages. It was brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, Anglo ...

word ''giest'', which in turn comes from the Old Norse word "gestr", both of which mean "guest" or "stranger." Spelling variations may include Gest, Geste, Gueste, Ghest, Geest, Geeste, Gist, Ghost, Jest. Other European counterparts to the name include the German and Dutch "Gast", Luxembourgish "Gaascht", Swedish "Gäst", Norwegian "Gjest", Serbian and Slovakian "Gost", Czech "Host", etc.

History

"Guest" derives from a place and not from the occupational status of some ancient forebear given to chronic visiting. Other theories suggest a spiritual concept i.e. "guests on this earth", or a polite substitute for "serf". Guest, the place, was near Caen, Normandy, and the original bearers of the name are said to have taken part in the Norman Conquest of England under William I in 1066. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Benwoldus Guest. This was dated 1100 in the Old English Names Register, during the reign of King William II of England, 1087–1100. After the conquest, the family settled in Salop (now Shropshire) in middle-western England and apparently held the estate known as Lega from the De Dunstanvilles.The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States of America, H.S. King & Company, 1874 - Great Britain - 484 pages, https://books.google.com/books?id=BFxJAAAAMAAJ&dq=Wembridge+Priory&source=gbs_navlinks_s Some ancient land records show Alan De Guest granting the lands of Alric de Lega (Guest) to a monastery called Wembridge Priory in 1150. His son Thomas (a name which occurs frequently in the Guest line) is mentioned in 1180. Some of the other Guests of antiquity were Thomas' sons Walter and Leonard, referred to in 1194 and 1280; and Henry, son of Leonard, 1240. Roger de Lega, or Guest, brother of Henry, had a son Thomas who again gave lands to Wembridge Priory. In 1295 Adam Gest (another variant of the name) was assessor of the parliamentary rolls in Salop. From these Normans descended Bishop Edmund Guest (1518–1577) who became the Bishop of Salisbury (1571–1577) and was one of the Reformers. He was the distributor of alms on behalf of Queen Elizabeth from 1560–1572. Also of note is the eminent manufacturer Sir John Guest (1785-1852) a baronet and the elder son of Thomas Guest, part owner of the Dowlais Iron Works, who died in 1807. History records as well the names of George Guest (1771–1831), an organist and composer who lived in Shropshire; Thomas Douglas Guest (1803–1839) an historical and portrait painter and Joshua Guest of Yorkshire (1660–1747) a Lieutenant General whose regiment fought in the Irish Campaign under William III. Other examples taken from church registers: Margaret Geeste married Thomas Emberson on October 5, 1546 at St. Margarets Westminster, and Edward Guest married Joane Willson at St. Botolphs Bishopsgate, city of London on September 9, 1632. Some Guests migrated to Ireland either as part of Henry II's (1166–1172) or any of the other various conquerors' (i.e. Oliver Cromwell's) armies or support people. Ireland had been connected with England from the time of when the Anglo-Norman barons in the 12th century invaded Ireland and set up English rule; however, effective control of the island eluded the English until almost the end of the Tudor period in the mid-sixteenth century. Waves of Guests migrated to the New World such as Elizabeth Guest arriving in Maryland in 1637, Walter Guest in Maryland in 1640, George Guest in Virginia in 1647, Anthony Guest in Virginia in 1663, Thomas Guest in New York in 1812, and John Guest in Pennsylvania in 1840.

People with the surname

Al Guest Al Guest is a Canadians, Canadian animation producer. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and started his career there when he dropped out of the University of Manitoba to pursue a career in films. A writer and fine artist, he has exhibited his pai ...

(contemporary), Canadian animation producer * Andrew Guest, American television writer *

Ann Hutchinson Guest Ann Hutchinson Guest ( Hutchinson; 3 November 1918 – 9 April 2022) was an American authority on dance notation and movement analysis, long based in the United Kingdom. She studied more than 80 dance notation systems and translated 20 to Laba ...

(born 1918), authority on dance notation and wife of

Ivor Forbes Guest Ivor Forbes Guest DUniv MA FRAD (14 April 1920 – 30 March 2018) was a British historian and writer, best known for his study of ballet. He was chairman of the Royal Academy of Dance for twenty three years (1970–93) and has been a Vice-Pr ...

Anthony Haden-Guest Anthony Haden-Guest (born 2 February 1937) is a British-American writer, reporter, cartoonist, art critic, poet, and socialite who lives in New York City and London. He is a frequent contributor to major magazines and has had several books publi ...

(born 1937), British-American writer, reporter, cartoonist, art critic, poet, and socialite *

Arthur Guest Arthur Edward Guest (7 November 1841 – 17 July 1898), was a British Conservative politician. Background Guest was the fifth son of Sir Josiah Guest, 1st Baronet, and Lady Charlotte Elizabeth, daughter of Albemarle Bertie, 9th Earl of Lindse ...

(1841–1898), British politician *

Barbara Guest Barbara Guest, ''née'' Barbara Ann Pinson (September 6, 1920 – February 15, 2006), was an American poet and prose stylist. Guest first gained recognition as a member of the first generation New York School of poetry. Guest wrote more than ...

(1920–2006), American poet and critic * Bill Guest (1928–1985), Canadian television host *

Lady Charlotte Guest Lady Charlotte Elizabeth Guest (née Bertie; 19 May 1812 – 15 January 1895), later Lady Charlotte Schreiber, was an English aristocrat who is best known as the first publisher in modern print format of the '' Mabinogion'', the earliest prose l ...

(1812–1895), Welsh historian and translator; wife of John Josiah Guest * C. Z. Guest (Lucille Douglas Cochrane Guest, 1920–2003), American socialite and fashion icon; daughter in-law of Frederick Edward Guest *

Charles Guest Air Marshal Sir Charles Edward Neville Guest, (4 October 1900 – 23 June 1977) was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Transport Command from 1952 to 1954. RAF Career Educated at King Edward's School, Bi ...

(1900–1977), Royal Air Force officer * Charlie Guest (born 1993), Scottish alpine skier *

Christopher Guest Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest (born February 5, 1948) is an American-British screenwriter, composer, musician, director, actor, and comedian. Guest is most widely known in Hollywood for having written, directed, and starred in ...

(born 1948), Christopher Haden-Guest, actor, writer, director, musician * Christopher John Guest (born 1975), Christopher John Guest, musician, artist, EDM composer * Colin Guest (born 1937), Australian cricketer *

Cornelia Guest Cornelia Cochrane Churchill Guest (born November 28, 1963) is a New York socialite, author, actress, and the Debutante of the Decade for the 1980s of the International Debutante Ball in New York City. She is a vegan, known for her advocacy of ani ...

(born 1963), American socialite, author, businesswoman, and philanthropist * David Guest (1911–1938), British Communist mathematician and philosopher; killed in Spanish Civil War * David Guest (born 1981), Australian field hockey player *

Douglas Guest Douglas Albert Guest (9 May 1916 – 18 November 1996) was an English organist, conductor, teacher and composer. Education Guest was born in Mortomley, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, and studied originally at the Royal College of Music ...

(1916–1996), English organist, conductor, teacher, and composer *

Edgar Guest Edgar Albert Guest (20 August 1881 – 5 August 1959) was a British-born American poet who became known as the People's Poet. His poems often had an inspirational and optimistic view of everyday life. Early life Guest was born in Birmingham ...

(1881–1959), American poet *

Edwin Guest Edwin Guest LL.D. FRS (10 September 180023 November 1880) was an English antiquary. He was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham, and at Caius College, Cambridge, where he graduated as eleventh wrangler, subsequently becoming a fellow ...

(1800–1880), English antiquary *

Ernest Lucas Guest Sir Ernest Lucas Guest (20 August 1882 – 20 September 1972) was a Rhodesian politician, lawyer and soldier. He held senior ministerial positions in the government, most notably as Minister for Air during the Second World War. Guest wa ...

(1882–1972), Rhodesian statesman, lawyer and soldier *

Ernest Melville Charles Guest Ernest Melville Charles Guest (May 1920 – 4 October 1943) was a Southern Rhodesian Royal Air Force pilot of the Second World War. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1942 having flown more than 1,000 operational hours. Pos ...

(1920–1943), Rhodesian-born RAF pilot of WWII, son of Ernest Lucas Guest *

Frederick Edward Guest Frederick Edward "Freddie" Guest, (14 June 1875 – 28 April 1937) was a British politician best known for being Chief Whip of Prime Minister David Lloyd George's Coalition Liberal Party, 1917–1921. He was also Secretary of State for Air betw ...

(1875–1937), British politician; MP; Secretary of State for Air; son of Ivor Bertie Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne * George Guest (disambiguation) * Geraldine Guest (1913–2006), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player * Gladstone Guest (1917–1998), English footballer * Glenda Guest (contemporary), Australian novelist * Harry Guest (born 1938), British poet *

Henry Guest Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Henry Charles Guest (15 February 1874 – 9 October 1957), usually known as Henry Guest, was a Liberal Party politician in the United Kingdom. Family He was the second son of Ivor Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne and his w ...

(1874–1957), British politician; son of Ivor Bertie Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne * Ivor Guest (disambiguation) * Jack Guest (1906–1972), Canadian Olympic rower * Jane Mary Guest (c. 1762–1846), English composer and pianist *

Jean Haden-Guest, Lady Haden-Guest Jean Pauline Haden-Guest, Baroness Haden-Guest (March 1, 1921 – February 10, 2017; née Genia Pauline Hindes) was an American theatre director and television executive. She was the Director of the American National Theater and Academy and serve ...

(1921-2017), American theatre director and television executive *

Jim Guest Jim Guest is an American politician, former aerospace engineer, and former Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives from District 5. He was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002, winning reelection in 20 ...

(born 1940), American aerospace engineer and politician; state representative *

Jo Guest Joanne Guest (born 22 February 1972) is an English former glamour model and media personality. Glamour career Born and raised in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Chesterfield, north east Derbyshire, England, Guest started in modelling after she saw ...

(born 1972), English glamor model * John Guest (disambiguation) *

Judith Guest Judith Guest (born March 29, 1936) is an American novelist and screenwriter. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and is the great-niece of Poet Laureate Edgar Guest (1881–1959).

(born 1936), American novelist and screenwriter *

Kim Mai Guest Kim Mai Guest is an American voice actress of European and Vietnamese descent who is known to speak fluent French and Italian. She is best known for her role as Mei Ling in ''Metal Gear''. Selected filmography Voice roles of Animation Anime ...

(born 1969), American voice actress *

(1812–1895), English translator and businesswoman *

Lance Guest Lance R. Guest (born July 21, 1960) is an American film and television actor, best known for his starring role in 1984's ''The Last Starfighter''. Biography Guest developed a serious interest in acting as a freshman while attending Saratoga H ...

(born 1960), American actor * Lennie Guest, Australian rugby league footballer * Matthew Guest (born 1983), Designer and Animator *

Melville Guest Melville Richard John Guest (born 18 November 1943) is a British former diplomat and first-class cricketer. He was born in what was then Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, two weeks after the death of his father, Ernest Melville Charles Guest, a R ...

(born 1943), former British diplomat and cricketer * Michael Guest (disambiguation) *

Montague Guest Montague John Guest (29 March 1839 – 9 November 1909), was a British Liberal politician. Family A member of the prominent Guest family, he was the third son of Sir John Josiah Guest, 1st Baronet, and his second wife Lady Charlotte, daugh ...

(1839–1909), British politician; son of John Joshua Guest *

Nicholas Guest Nicholas Haden-Guest (born May 5, 1951), known as Nicholas Guest, is an American actor who has appeared in various movie and television roles, including that of headmaster Patrick James Elliot in the teen sitcom ''USA High''. Since 2000, he has p ...

(born 1955), American actor *

Oscar Guest Oscar Montague Guest (24 August 1888 – 8 May 1958) was a politician in the United Kingdom, initially with the Liberal Party and later as a Conservative. He was twice elected as a Member of Parliament (MP). Family He was the youngest of ...

(1888–1958), British politician; son of Ivor Bertie Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne * Paul Guest, American poet and memoirist *

Raymond R. Guest Raymond Richard Guest Order of the British Empire, OBE (November 25, 1907 – December 31, 1991) was an American businessman, thoroughbred race horse owner and polo player. From 1965 to 1968, he was United States Ambassador to Ireland. Early l ...

(1907–1991), American businessman, race horse owner and polo player; son of Frederick Edward Guest *

Richard Guest Richard Guest (born 14 August 1967) is an artist and short story author. Educated at the Slade School of Art 1986–1990, he began his writing career with two operas, ''The Swiss Admiral's Trousers'' (1986) and ''The Maginot Line'' (1987) which ...

(born 1967), English artist and short story author *

Rob Guest Robert John Guest (17 July 19501 October 2008) was a New Zealand-Australian actor, television personality and host and singer, who started his career in pop music in New Zealand, before becoming best known for his work in Australian musical th ...

(1950–2008), British-born New Zealand-Australian actor and singer *

Robert Guest Robert Guest is the Foreign Editor for ''The Economist'' and regularly appears on CNN and the BBC. Previously, he covered Africa for seven years, based in London and Johannesburg. Before joining ''The Economist'', he was Tokyo correspondent for ...

, American journalist *Ruby Haden-Guest (born 1996), British-American computer gaming editor *

Stephen Guest Stephen Guest, Barrister (Inner Temple) and Barrister and Solicitor (N.Z. High Court), is the Professor of Legal Philosophy at the University College London Faculty of Laws. Education Guest obtained his BA in Philosophy (1971) and his LLB at the ...

(contemporary), New Zealand-British barrister, Solicitor, Professor * Thomas B. Guest (1816–1884), Canadian politician from Ontario; provincial legislator * Thomas Douglas Guest (1781–1845), British artist *

Tim Guest Tim Guest (16 July 1975 – 31 July 2009) (also known as Yogesh and Errol Mysterio) was an English author and journalist. Early childhood When he was four, Guest was left in the UK by his psychologist mother, Anne Geraghty, who went to India an ...

(1975–2009), English author and journalist * Tom Guest (born 1984), English rugby union player *

Val Guest Val Guest (born Valmond Maurice Grossman; 11 December 1911 – 10 May 2006) was an English film director and screenwriter. Beginning as a writer (and later director) of comedy films, he is best known for his work for Hammer, for whom he direct ...

(1911–2006), British film director * William Guest (disambiguation) ;British peers *

Baron Haden-Guest Baron Haden-Guest, of Saling in the County of Essex, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 2 February 1950 for the Labour Party politician Leslie Haden-Guest. He had previously represented Southwark North and I ...

Leslie Haden-Guest, 1st Baron Haden-Guest Leslie Haden-Guest, 1st Baron Haden-Guest, (10 March 1877 – 20 August 1960) was a British author, journalist, doctor and Labour Party politician. Early life Haden-Guest was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, the son of Catharine Anna (née ...

(1877–1960), British author, journalist, doctor and politician ** Peter Haden-Guest, 4th Baron Haden-Guest (1913–1996), British peer **

(Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest) (born 1948), British-American comedian and actor *

Guest family Guest or The Guest may refer to: * A person who is given hospitality * Guest (surname), people with the surname ''Guest'' * USS ''Guest'' (DD-472), U.S. Navy ''Fletcher''-class destroyer 1942–1946 * Guest appearance, guest actor, guest star, e ...

, descendants of John Guest (1722–1787), a manager of

Dowlais Ironworks The Dowlais Ironworks was a major ironworks and steelworks located at Dowlais near Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales. Founded in the 18th century, it operated until the end of the 20th, at one time in the 19th century being the largest steel producer in ...

Ivor Bertie Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne Ivor Bertie Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne, 2nd Baronet, DL (29 August 1835 – 22 February 1914) was a British industrialist and a member of the prominent Guest family. Early life Ivor Bertie Guest was born at Dowlais, near Merthyr Tydfil, the s ...

(1835–1914), British peer; son of John Josiah Guest: uncle-by-marriage of Winston Churchill **

Ivor Guest, 1st Viscount Wimborne Ivor Churchill Guest, 1st Viscount Wimborne, KP, PC (16 January 1873 – 14 June 1939), known as Lord Ashby St Ledgers from 1910 to 1914 and as Lord Wimborne from 1914 to 1918, was a British politician and one of the last Lords Lieutenant of ...

(1873–1939), British politician, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; son of Ivor Bertie Guest **

Ivor Guest, 2nd Viscount Wimborne Ivor Grosvenor Guest, 2nd Viscount Wimborne, (21 February 1903 – 7 January 1967) was a British politician. Early life Ivor Grosvenor Wimborne was born on 21 February 1903 and was the son of Ivor Guest, 1st Viscount Wimborne (1873–1939), a ...

(1903–1967), British politician ;People named with other variants *

Gest (surname) Gest is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Alain Gest (born 1950), French politician * David Gest (1953-2016), American television producer * John B. Gest (1823-1907), American banker and lawyer * Joseph Henry Gest (1859-1935), A ...

References

{{surname, Guest English-language surnames

History

People with the surname

See also

References