This surname is derived from an occupation. 'the fewster,' a maker of saddle-trees.

Robertus de Cahille, fufsler, 1277-8: Freemen of York (Surt. Soc).

Geoffrey le Fufster, 1283: ibid.

Nicholas le Fuster, Close Roll, 21 Edward III. pt.

Ricardus Fuystour, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Ralph le Fuster. Writs of Parliament.

Robert Fuster. Valor Ecclesiasticus.

Willelmus Fystour, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Wiliam Fewster, master of Endowed School, Braithwaite, Dacre: West Riding Directory, 1867.

Christopher Fewster, curate of Stockton, 1599: History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham.

An interesting name, now found as Fewster. 'The Sellers (Saddlers), Verrours, and Fuystours went together in the York Pageant' (York Mystery Plays, p. xxvi, ed. Toulmin Smith); in the Chester Play 'the Saddlers and Fusters' (Ormerod's Cheshire); and in Cocke Lorelle's Bote the 'Bladesmythes, fosters, and sadelers.' Thus saddlers and fusters went always together. In his Memorials of London Mr. Riley mentions a 'Welsh Polyfuyster'. Strictly speaking, a fuster was a joiner, one who made the wooden framework of the saddle-tree. No doubt related to Old French fust, a staff, stake, stock, stump, trunk, or log (v. Fust (r), Skeat). Latin fustis. Our fusly and fusliness are of similar origin. The spelling 'foster' in Cocke Lorelle's Bote suggests that some of our Fosters are so derived.

1. Halliwell has fusterer, a maker of pack-saddles. 2. Feuster, a female feoffee. See Few.