Soster is a surname of Scandinavian origin, possibly related to the Norwegian mountains called Syv Sostre (Seven Sisters). It is also a family name of Italian origin.
Italian surname
The origins of the Italian family name Sostre is ultimately of German provenance and is classified as being of habitation name origin. When family names are defined as "habitation" in origin they refer us to the residence or home of the progenitor or founder of the family. The name may indicate that the original bearer displayed a sign or engraving over the door of his residence or it may tell us that this person's residence was located in a particular town or village or indeed that it was located by some distinguishing geographical or topographical feature. The family name Sostre may be traced to the city of Soest, which is located north of Münster in the German state of Nordrhein-Westfalen. Soest (originally called Sosat), which was first mentioned in documents from the year 836, was an important member of the Hanseatic League, a federation of cities which dominated commerce in northern Europe during the Middle Ages. One of the earliest references to this name or to a variant is a record of one Johann de Sosat, who was noted in Stralsund in the year 1281. During the Renaissance German students went to Italy to study at the great universities there, while artists and artisans from both German and the Low Countries were recruited to adorn the public buildings. For several hundred years, much of what is northern Italy was part of the Austrian Empire, hence it is not surprising to encounter German surnames in Italy. Notable bearers of the surname or a variant include the early nineteenth century engraver Bartolomeo Soster, who dweled in Austria-ruled region of Italy, and the naturalist Nerina Soster, who was born in Trento in 1903.
During the Renaissance, German students went to Italy to study at the great universities there, while artists and artisans from both German and the low countries were recruited to adorn public buildings. For several hundred years, much of what is now northern Italy was part of the Austrian Empire, hence it is not surprising to encounter German surnames in Italy. Notable bearers of the surname or a variant include the early nineteenth century engraver Bartolomeo Soster, who dwelled in Austrian-rules region of Italy, and the naturalist Nerina Soster, who was born in Trento in 1903.