How common is the surname Easter?

Question: How common is the surname Easter!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

In England it is not a particularly un-common name, I have it in my own family, it can be found with variations like Ester and Hester, but it relates to the same family/name!.

Easter
This interesting surname, with the modern variant Easterling, has three possible origins!. Firstly, it may be a topographic name for someone who lived to the east of a main settlement, from the Middle English "easter", meaning eastern!. This surname could also be a habitational name from a group of villages in Essex, which got their name from the Old English "eowestre", sheepfold!. Thirdly, it may be a nickname for someone who had some connection with the festival of Easter, such as being born or baptized at Easter, from the Old English word "eastre", name given to a pagan festival!. The earliest recording one finds for this surname dates from the 16th Century, (see below)!. Other early recordings of the name include a Simon Easter who was christened at St!. Martin Pomeroy, London on April 5th 1640!. One John, son of Henry Easter, was christened at St!. Olave, Southwark, London on October 5th 1645!. Mary Easter, daughter of Jacob and Frances was christened at St!. Dunstan, Stepney London on September 9th 1649!. An unusual bearer of the name was Alexander Hay Lord Easter Kennet (d!. 1594) a Scottish judge and clerk to Scottish Privy Council, (1564)!. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Anna Easter, married to Rogerus Cauve, which was dated June 20th 1569, in the "church register at Hollingbourne, Kent", during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1607)!.

There are at least 1500 in the U!.K!.phone book!.

also
Easter :origins & meanings:
English: topographic name for someone living to the east of a main settlement, from Middle English easter ‘eastern’, Old English ēasterra, in form a comparative of ēast ‘east’ (see East)!.
English: habitational name from a group of villages in Essex, named from Old English eowestre ‘sheepfold’!.
English: nickname for someone who had some connection with the festival of Easter, such as being born or baptized at that time (Old English ēastre, perhaps from the name of a pagan festival connected with the dawn)!.
Translation of the German family name Oster!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I found 14 in the US!. in 1790 and 1,307 in 1920!. On the 1860 census most were born in the US!. and some in England, Ireland, Germany, and France!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Not very common!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Not common at all!Www@QuestionHome@Com

ive never heard it beforeWww@QuestionHome@Com