One of the earliest reference to this name or a variant is a record of one Best der junge,who is listed in documents from 1441.However ,research is of course ongoing and this name may have been documented earlier tan above indicated date. Johann Jacoby Best and Catharinia Schneider were married in Weitersladl, Starkenburg,Hesse,on November 27,1677 and Jacobus Best ,son of Lorentius and Eva Best ,was christened in Arenberg,the Rineland,on October 7,1766.Notable bearers of this name include Wilhelm Best (1683-1719),the jurist and Albert Johan Freiherr (barron) de Best (died 1804), the army officer. This name was introduced to America as early as 1767 in which year we find a record of the emigration of one Heinrich Best ,who settled in Pennsylvania.The name could of course have been first introduced to that country at an earlier date.