Surname Diezel - Meaning and Origin
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Diezel: What does the surname Diezel mean?
The last name Diezel is of German origin and is thought to have first arisen in northern Germany during the Middle Ages, though it has since spread to many other countries. It derives from the German personal name Theodoric, which itself was derived from the Greek words 'theos' meaning 'god' and 'doros' meaning 'gift'.
The name Diezel can be found many parts of western Germany including the states of Hesse, Lower Saxony and Bavaria. The earliest recorded appearance of the name was in 1430, when Hans Diezel of East Prussia was documented as living in the German town of Herford.
The name Diezel also appears in the records of 16th-century Austria, where a Michael Diezel was documented as living in the Styrian village of Bermatingen.
In more recent times, the last name Diezel has spread to other parts of the world, particularly the United States, where it is believed to have been introduced by German immigrants during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The meaning of the last name Diezel is generally associated with strength, courage and determination. It has been known to refer to both a ruggedly individual person and a family of strength, making it a fitting name for those who have sought to make something of themselves and those who take pride in their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisDiezel: Where does the name Diezel come from?
The last name Diezel is a Germanic surname, originating from the Germanic personal name Theodoric, meaning “people’s ruler”. It is most commonly found in Germany today, where it is amongst the top 800 surnames. The frequency of the Diezel surname is highest in the northern states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Bavaria, and Thuringia - as well as in the German capital city, Berlin.
Diezel is also found in Switzerland and Austria, though in somewhat smaller numbers. It is common throughout the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, California, New York, Michigan, and Illinois - all states with historically large German-American populations.
The family name Diezel is said to be associated with agricultural pursuits, as the name refers to a dwelling that was the center of a farmstead or estate. The associated coat of arms features three fingers with white tips on a red background, a symbol of protection and guard.
On an international level, the name Diezel is said to be inherited in countries all across the world including the Netherlands, England, Belgium, France, Denmark, Poland, and Norway. The Diezel name is not as common as it once was, however it is still relatively widespread throughout Germany and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Diezel
The surname Diezel may be spelled various ways, which include but are not limited to: Diezel, Deezel, Diessl, and Deesel. As far as variants of the same origin, these can include spelling variations, such as, Diessel, Deisel, Deesell, or Deesel, as well as, other surnames based on a phonetic rendering, such as, Deetsl, Deetzele, Deetsel, Deetzell, Diezzle, or Diezle.
This German surname may be found in old documents in various spelling forms, originating in Westprussia and Pomerania, as well as in the regions of Prussia, with records dating back as far as the 1700’s. With the migrations and movements of the 19th century, Diezel could also be found in the regions of Austria, Switzerland, Silesia, Luxembourg, and Altermark.
The surname Diezel is believed to be of occupational origin and is thought to be derived from the Middle Low German word 'ditzel' which was a term used to refer to a type of flour mill worker, who operated the mill. Thus, the surname Diezel is thought to have been assigned to those who performed this type of job, or to someone who resided near a mill worker.
In addition, surrounding surnames with similar spellings and origins are often found in old records, including Ditzel, Diezelmann, Diezmann, and Diesel. As such, these names could refer to the same origin as Diezel and thus, could also be variants of the same surname. Despite different spelling forms, all of these surnames would be connected to the same occupation of a mill worker.
Famous people with the name Diezel
- Herbert Diezel: a German biochemist who is known for his research involving the use of vitamin D3 to treat certain kinds of cancer.
- Melissa Diezel: a German actress who starred in several German films such as “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “Die Trance”.
- Wolfgang Diezel: a German-born actor and mime artist who had a major role in the 2003 film “Head-On”.
- Jörg Diezel: a German multimedia artist who is known for his interactive works of art.
- Martin Diezel: a German rock musician and founder of the band “Diezeldriven”.
- Peter Diezel: a German writer and journalist.
- Michael Diezel: a German photographer and digital artist.
- Friedrich Diezel: an Austro-Bohemian physician who was a major contributor to the field of psychology.
- Kurt Diezel: a German cabaret artist, actor, and TV presenter.
- Andreas Diezel: a German movie and TV director who is best known for his 2020 dark comedy “The Soul of a Bear”.