Epstein

Epstein is a surname of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is a toponymic name derived from the German town of Eppstein in Hesse, near Frankfurt. The form Epstein reflects transliteration from German to English and other languages; variants include Epsteins and, less commonly, Eppstein. The surname was adopted by Jewish families in German-speaking lands and spread with migration to North America, Israel, and other regions.

Today, Epstein is found throughout the Jewish diaspora and among populations with historical ties to central European Jewry. In some cases, the name appears in records dating back to the early modern period.

Notable individuals with the surname include Jeffrey Epstein (1953–2019), an American financier who became known for criminal charges related to sex trafficking and died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial. Beyond this high-profile case, the surname appears across various professions, including science, arts, and public life, reflecting its broad Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.