Origin: The exact origin is, as yet, unknown.
Among some editors of Surname books possibly as a locative name from the Suffolk village now known as Wherstead which was recorded as Warvestede in 1207 and Quersted, Qwersted(e) 1254-1291 though there have not as yet been instances of the surname from this area.
Early instances:
1275-1276: Patent Rolls the earliest bearer so far known, Mabel de Querstede of Hothfield Kent
1325: John de Querstede was listed in a land transfer to John de Selling, in the village of Pluckley in Kent.
1376: The Close Rolls list a John Querstede of Norfolk in 1376.
1386: Court of Chancery: Six Clerks Office. William Querstede and Isabel his wife are listed as defendants in Skott V Querstede (Ref C/1/73/158) for lease of land in Bylsyngton, Kent.
1431: Canterbury Cathedral Archives Feoffment by Thomas Gotele of Hothfield to Thomas Frygth, John Melle of Hothfield, carpenter, and John Quersted? of Westwell of his lands in Hothfield as specified.
1437: Canterbury Cathedral Archives has a seven year lease John Querstede, husbandman and Lambert Querstede, miller both of Westwell parish, Kent and Robert Querstede, carpenter of Ashford parish, Kent.
1460: Canterbury Cathedral Archives Canterbury Cathedral Priory to Richard Quested of Westwell (CCA-DCc-ChAnt/W/13)
1500s+: Many instances Quested in parishes in the Ashford district and surrounds in Kent.
1500s+: also seeing mentions of Quested in London