Surname Bisselle - Meaning and Origin

Bisselle: What does the surname Bisselle mean?

The last name Bisselle is of French origin, derived from the ancient given name Bissel. This old Germanic name is composed of two distinct roots: “biso”, meaning “daring”, and “spring”, meaning “to spring”. When combined, the literal meaning of Bissel is one who is bold and capable of making a leap of faith.

It is believed that the surname Bisselle was first held by an early French ancestor belonging to the Bissel family, who immigrated to France from Germany during the 15th and 16th centuries. The original family settlement likely came from the Germanic area of the Alsace-Lorraine in the Middle Ages. It is believed that Bisselle is a patronymic surname, meaning “son of Bissel.”

The ancestral home of Bisselle would later become the site of many important events during the French Revolution, when new families of Huguenot and French Protestant immigrants began to settle in France. The Bisselle name spread throughout the country, becoming a prominent surname in the wine and textile industries.

As the Bisselle family has grown, it has carried its ancestral proud heritage, remembering its ancestral courage and passion. The name has ultimately become a kind of homage to the bravery and tenacity of the original Bissel family, an expression of their spirit even today.

Bisselle: Where does the name Bisselle come from?

The surname Bisselle is of French origin, specifically from the Northern part of France. It is believed to have come from the ancient French word "bissel" which means "bezel," a term initially used in jewellery making and later extended to other fields. The term was used to describe a craftsman who worked with bezels, which implies that the first person to adopt this surname likely had a job making or working with bezels.

As a surname, Bisselle is not very common today. Despite its French origins, it is not widely used in France. It is more commonly found in the United States, likely due to immigration patterns. However, even in the U.S., it is not a very widespread surname and only a small number of people bear it. The name may have numerous variations in spelling which could explain its scarcity. Furthermore, the dispersal of people from their native lands, intermarriages, and the adaptation of other more common surnames over time may have led to the name being less common today.

Variations of the surname Bisselle

The surname Bisselle seems to be of French origin, deriving from the word "bissel" which referred to a type of plough used in the middle ages. Variants of this surname could potentially include biselle, bisel, bissel, bisell, and bisselle. It's also possible that the surname has been anglicised to Bissell or Bissel over time. This often happens when families move to English-speaking countries and adjust their surnames to fit into the local culture. Besides, similar sounding surnames might include Bisaille, Bicelle, Basselle, or Bosselle. However, without more detailed genetic or historical information, it's challenging to definitively say whether these surnames are of the same origin as Bisselle. The nature of surnames allows for many changes and adaptations over time and across different regions, therefore, there could be numerous other relatives of the surname which we might not be aware of.

Famous people with the name Bisselle

• Jenifer Bissell: Jenifer Bissell is an American actress who is best known for her work in films such as The Island, Waitress, and Good Night, and Good Luck.
• Brad Bissell: Brad Bissell is an American actor and producer who is best known for his roles in films like Friday After Next, The Forgotten, and Mall Cop 2.
• John Bissell: John Bissell was an American politician and mayor of New Haven, Connecticut.
• Jacob Bissell: Jacob Bissell was a cartographer in colonial America who was responsible for compiling important maps used during the Revolutionary War.
• Rob Bisselle: Rob Bisselle is an American Professional baseball player currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds.
• Doug Bissell: Doug Bissell is an American basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies women's basketball team.
• John Bisselle Jr.: John Bisselle Jr. was an American politician and lawyer who served as a representative in the New Jersey Assembly from 1876-1879.
• John Griswold Bisselle: John Griswold Bisselle was an American cartoonist who created the comic strip “The New Adventures of Old King Cole” in 1906.
• William Charles Bisselle: William Charles Bisselle was a British settler and Texas politician who was involved in the Texas revolution of 1836.
• Robert Bissell: Robert Bissell is an American landscape painter and illustrator who has created works for National Geographic and Science magazine.

Other surnames

Bissell