Origin of the Quast-name
Hello,
I've noticed some questions about the origin of the Quast-name. By chance, some far-related family has looked into this question several years ago.
The first mention of the name Quast appears in the church's books in the area of Brandenburg (Berlin, Germay), about 800 ad. Today there is still a village and a small lake named Qast in this area, as well as two other villages in Bavaria, Germany with the same name.
It appears that the Quast's have had the privilige of being educated enough the serve either the church or the king. Only people of some (locally) importance are to be mentioned in the church archives. This means they could read and write, so they found a occupation as Referent / Teacher or bookkeeping at the royals. (Most royals couldn't write or write themselves, they hired clergymen for this purpose).
After the year 1200 the name Quast had taken a flight, first throughout Germany/Poland. In the 16th century the name Quast can be found more widespread into France, Belgium and the Netherland (where we live); but also eastbound: Russia.
It is most likely that the Quasts who live in America (United States, Canada, Mexico) take their origin of emigrants in the 18th and 19th century.
I hope this provides a little more information. If you can read a foreign language, try to find some information by searching the internet in Germany.