Quested Family History

Probably from Wherstead (Suffolk), which is recorded as Warvestede in 1207, Quersted(e) and Qwersted(e) from 1254–91, and Qwersted in 1535. The Suffolk place-name derives from Old English hwearf ‘wharf’ + stede ‘place’.

The over-aspiration of initial /hw/ (spelled Wh-) to /kw/ (spelled Qu-) was common in the Norfolk and Suffolk dialects of Middle English.

This pronunciation had presumably travelled with whichever bearer of the surname had migrated to Kent by the early 15th century.

For the later development Quersted to Quested, in which the consonant cluster -rst- was simplified to -st-, see Gaston (for Garston) and the discussion at Gasson.