Kerstman

Kerstman is a surname of Dutch origin. The name is constructed from the Dutch word kerst, meaning Christmas, and man, meaning man. Historically, such compound surnames often referred to a person associated with Christmas activities or to a family origin linked to Christmas celebrations, though precise medieval explanations are not well documented.

The surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands and among descendants of Dutch emigrants in North America, Australia, and parts of Europe. Variants and related surnames include Kerstman in spelling, and perhaps similar forms such as Kerstmann in German-speaking regions, though those forms may reflect different etymologies and are not direct equivalents.

In modern Dutch usage, Kerstman is also the word for Santa Claus, the figure associated with Christmas gift-giving. In this sense, the term is common in popular culture and media in the Netherlands and Flanders.

Notable bearers of the surname are not widely documented in standard reference sources, and the name is generally considered relatively uncommon. The surname may be encountered in genealogical records, civil registries, and local histories within Dutch-speaking communities.