Surname Iseli - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Journey of My Ancestry: An Insightful Glimpse Into the Iseli Heritage with iGENEA DNA Test

After nurturing a deep desire to discover more about my lineage tied with my family name - Iseli, I embarked on a journey into my ancestry with iGENEA DNA test. Unraveling findings from my familial roots in Switzerland to the spread of the Iseli name globally and the realization of belonging to the R1b haplogroup, the results have been nothing short of eye-opening and enthralling.

K. Iseli

Iseli: What does the surname Iseli mean?

Iseli is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word iselo, meaning “island.” It is believed that the name was originally geographic in nature, referring to people who had originally come from an “island” village or settlement. When surnames first became popular in Germany, a family living in such an area might have adopted Iseli to identify themselves in an increasingly crowded population.

People bearing the Iseli surname can be found throughout Europe and in countries around the world, particularly in those areas with large German-Speaking populations. In the United States, for example, the Iseli name is particularly common in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, two states heavily settled by German immigrants in the 19th century.

The history of the Iseli name has strong ties to the German-speaking world, and as an occupational or geographic surname it provides a unique window into the culture and history of those regions. It is also a reminder that the Iseli family is part of a global community. We may have diverse backgrounds and experiences now, but a shared surname ties us all together.

Iseli: Where does the name Iseli come from?

The last name Iseli is most prominently found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria. It is also popular in France, particularly in the Alsace region. Among the French, variants of the name are spelled Icelli, Ichelli, and Ichelli. It is likely a topographic surname derived from the hisel, an old German word for steep hillside.

In the United States, Iseli is a relatively uncommon last name, with fewer than 1,000 people bearing this name. The majority of Iselis are of Swiss or German descent. However, the Iseli name can also be occasionally found among certain immigrant groups, including plants from the Middle East, Central, and South America.

In Canada, Iseli is a slightly more common last name, with around a thousand people bearing this name. Again, most Iselis come from Swiss or German descent, though some may have French, Ukrainian, and Finnish roots.

Lastly, Iseli is an occasionally used last name in Australia. Most Iselis in Australia likely originate from Swiss-German or German descendants. It is also possible to find Iselis in New Zealand, although it is an extremely rare last name there.

Variations of the surname Iseli

The surname Iseli has its roots in Switzerland and Germany. It is a patronymic surname originating from a given name, either Isel or Isa. Generally, the most common spelling of the name is Iseli, but there are many variants and alternative spellings, each with its own unique etymology.

The common Latin form of Iseli is Yseli, which was the given name of a Swiss vicar in 1075 AD. During the early Fourth Crusade, a crusader named Iselus is recorded as participating.

In Germany, the spelling Ysli is the most common variant of the name. This form of the name appeared in old Swiss and German records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to originate from an old German first name Eslin, which is derived from the name Elise.

Other forms of the name include Ysueli and Iselius, both of which are found in documents from the 15th century in German-speaking areas. The spelling Iselius is the root of the surnames Iseler and Isler, both of which are German variants.

Finally, in Switzerland, the form Isler (sometimes spelled Islar) is the most common variant of the surname, and is widely used in many regions of Switzerland. The surnames Isely, Isner, and Isenring are also derived from this form.

Famous people with the name Iseli

• Marco Iseli: Swiss entrepreneur, president of the Kuoni group and former CEO of Myriad Group, the largest, independent software platform provider specializing in connected devices.
• Eugen Iseli-Chiosso: Swiss engineer, writer and naturalistic photographer.
• Peter Jonas Iseli: Australian composer and conductor.
• Samuel Iseli: Swiss-American cobbler and businessman who became famous for his invention of the Goodrich-Iseli walking plow in the early 1800s.
• Ernst Iseli: Swiss architect and topographer who was instrumental in the design of various fortifications during the 19th century.
• Pius Iseli: Swiss doctor and writer, author of popular botanical works such as Garten der Heiligen Berge (The Garden of the Holy Mountains).
• Brady Iseli: American professional wakeboarder and founder of the Iseli Wakeboarding camp in Wisconsin.
• Gerhard Iseli: Swiss politician and member of the Swiss Federal Council during the 1870s.
• Dominik Iseli: Swiss film director, specialising in short films, and winner of the Swiss Film Prize in 2017.
• Chris Iseli: American professional baseball player who was the first player drafted from the University of Florida in the 2019 MLB Draft.

Other surnames

IseleIselerIselinIselt