Surname Echsle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Echsle: What does the surname Echsle mean?
The surname Echsle originates from the German-speaking region of the Alps. The term itself can be traced back to the medieval Latin form of the word ‘aschel’ or ‘ecksel’ meaning an ‘earthenware pot used in baking’ or more literally ‘ash-pot’. Over the centuries the name has been borne by families across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
In the modern day, Echsle continues to be a popular last name, in part due to its history of being both an occupational name and a location based name. In the Middle Ages, as well as in later centuries, many people took their surnames from their family's occupation; in the case of the Echsle family, they would have likely been bakers while others may have been potters. Similarly, locational surnames were sometimes taken from a place where the family had resided - Echsle as a locational surname may have denoted those from a settlement named after a nearby body of water, derived from Latin word ‘ascaule’ or ‘ ad aqua’ meaning ‘by the water’.
The widespread use of the Echsle surname today, coupled with its many variant spellings such as Achel or Echsel, continues to show the family’s strong connection to the renowned German-speaking region of the Alps. To this day, it remains an enduring mark of the generations of people who once took on this family name.
Order DNA origin analysisEchsle: Where does the name Echsle come from?
The last name Echsle is commonly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland today. The surname is derived from the Old High German "ehsel" which translates to modern German as "Axt", meaning axe. This suggests that the original bearer of this name may have been an axe handler or a maker of axes for use in battle or farming.
Evidence of the surname Echsle can be seen across several regions in Germany, particularly in the south. This includes regions such as the Upper Rhine Valley in Baden-Württemberg, where there is at least one city with a significant population of people sharing this last name.
Additionally, the Echsle surname can also be found in Austria and Switzerland. Here, it appears to be more prominent and is primarily found in the provinces of Tyrol and Vorarlberg. It is also relatively common in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, Basel-Landschaft, St. Gallen and Schwyz.
Given its association with the Old High German language, the Echsle surname is firmly rooted in the Germanic culture. It remains a popular surname in the descendant nations of Germany, Austria and Switzerland to this day, testifying to its medieval origins.
Variations of the surname Echsle
The surname Echsle is primarily of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘ehsal,’ meaning ‘counsel’ or ‘advice.’ Different variants, spellings, and surnames of this origin include: Aesle, Aissel, Asel, Ehsle, Eissel, Esel, Echsler, Aeschele, Aischle, Echele, and Eischele.
Variants of Echsle are commonly found throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the surrounding areas, though it is not particularly common any longer. It also appears in records in the United States, where it may be an Americanized spelling of a different German surname.
Spellings of the surname vary and include Aesle, Aissel, Asel, Ehsle, Eissel, Esel, Echsler, Aeschele, Aischle, Echele, and Eischele. The most common spellings are Echsle, Aesle, Aisel, and Asel. In the United States, spellings may also differ, for example, 'Easlee,' 'Ehsal,' or 'Eish ls.'
Variants of the surname are often found with suffixes added. These suffixes, like '-mann,' '-berger,' and '-er,' indicate a family’s profession or trade or a designation of someone from a particular town, region, or state. An example with a suffix is Echslemann.
Surnames part of the same origin as Echsle also include Ecksel, Auchsel, Essel, Assel, and Oschel.
In general, the spelling of the surname often changed several times due to people not understanding or using the correct spelling, the influence of dialects, or the addition of suffixes.
Famous people with the name Echsle
- Barbara Jo Echsle: German historian and scholar
- Graham Echsle: former head of the United States Olympic Committee
- Paul Echsle: German aircraft designer and pioneer of aviation
- George Echsle: American television and Broadway director 5.Ron Echsle: former American basketball player
- Judy Echsle: American politician and first woman to serve on the Strongsville, Ohio city council
- Bruce Echsle: former American football player
- Lorraine Mari Echsle: American historian
- Erwin Echsle: former academic leader at the University of Tübingen in Germany
- Chris Echsle: professional mixed martial arts fighter