Nast

Nast is a surname of German origin. It is most commonly associated with Thomas Nast (1840–1902), a German-born American cartoonist whose work in the late 19th century had a lasting influence on American politics and culture.

Thomas Nast emigrated to the United States with his family as a child and began an art career in New York. In 1862 he started contributing to Harper’s Weekly, where his cartoons covered the Civil War, Reconstruction, corruption, and social issues. Through his drawings, Nast helped popularize enduring symbols in American political iconography, including Uncle Sam as a personification of the United States and the donkey and elephant as symbols for the Democratic and Republican parties. He is also credited with shaping the modern visual image of Santa Claus through his festive depictions, which emphasized a jolly, red-suited figure. Nast’s prolific anti-corruption cartoons contributed to public pressure that aided in the downfall of the Tweed Ring and broader reform efforts in New York politics.

Beyond Nast, the surname remains relatively uncommon and has been borne by various individuals in different fields, though the name is most closely associated with Thomas Nast in cultural memory. The term Nast, when encountered, is typically interpreted as referring to the cartoonist unless contextual information indicates another person or usage.