Surname Keßel - Meaning and Origin

Exploring Lineage and Building Bonds: My Experience with the iGENEA DNA Test

My journey with the iGENEA DNA test was an enlightening one, unearthing the ancient origins of the surname Keßel and forging connections with others sharing this lineage across the globe.

Z. Keßel

Keßel: What does the surname Keßel mean?

The surname Keßel is a German surname that dates back to early medieval times. It is derived from the Middle High German “Kezzeln” meaning “small barrel”, and could have been used to describe a person who made or sold such barrels. Alternatively, it could have indicated someone who worked with wine or beer as both of these were commonly stored in wooden barrels at the time.

The name Keßel would have originated in modern day Germany, Austria or Switzerland as this is where the language was used to form the name. The name is still commonly seen in these locations, however it is now also found across many parts of Europe, including Ireland, the UK, France and the United States.

In modern times, the name Keßel is primarily seen as a surname. It can also be seen as a given name in some cases, with the nickname Kess being popular among Keßel family members. As a surname, the primary meaning of Keßel is “small barrel”, and can be seen as an interesting way of expressing a long-standing family history.

Keßel: Where does the name Keßel come from?

The last name Keßel is quite common in Germany today. It is a spelling variation of the original German name Kiesel, which means "pebble". The name is also found in the Netherlands as Kessel, often with the alternative spelling of Kessle. The name Kessel is also found in Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Records show that the name has been around in Germany for hundreds of years and is believed to have originated from a place called Kessel, near the city of Cologne in western Germany. While the origins of the name remain uncertain, it is likely that it is of Germanic origin.

The name Keßel is also common throughout the United States. In particular, it is very popular in Pennsylvania, with more than 500 people bearing the Keßel surname. It is primarily found among German-American immigrants who have settled in Pennsylvania. In addition, Keßel is also found in other states such as Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, and Texas. Outside the United States, the Keßel name is commonplace in Jamaica, where it is frequently found among those of German-Jamaican heritage. It is also found in parts of South America, including Brazil, where it is popular among German immigrants.

Overall, the last name Keßel is widely found around the world as a result of the large number of German immigrants settling in different parts of the globe. It is likely to remain popular and continue to spread as more people bear the name over time.

Variations of the surname Keßel

The surname Keßel is of German and Dutch origin. It is thought to derive from the Middle High German term “Kessel” meaning “kettle”. Variations of this surname include Kessel, Kesel, Kesselle, Kesselman, Kessle, Kessele, Kesseler, Kesselring, Kesselmeier, Kesselhaus, Kässel, Kasser, Cassel, Cassell, Casselman and Casselmann. It can even be found spelled without the umlaut (ouml;) over the “e” as Kessel.

In Germany, the Keßel surname is mostly found in the Lower Rhine region of North Rhine-Westphalia where it is among the most common of surnames. In the Netherlands, they are distributed throughout the country in small numbers, especially in Northern, Central and Southern Netherlands.

Within Dutch families, the spelling “Kessel” was originally used. In America, the most common spelling of Keßel is Cassel. Those bearing the Cassel name in the United States are largely descended from Dutch immigrants who settled in the area of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Other variations of the name can be found in areas of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as other countries.

Keßel and variations of this name can be traced back to the thirteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, when the name-bearers were recorded in various court documents and church records. In modern times the Keßel surname has spread throughout Europe and to lands all over the world.

Famous people with the name Keßel

• Melissa Kessel: Youtuber
• Frits Kessel: Dutch Olympic gold medal winner
• Bishop Don Kessel: Retired pastor
• Piet Kessel: Member of the celebrated Dutch swim team
• Karl Kessel: Writer and author of the novel Songs Without Words
• Stella Kessel: Award-winning Finnish actress
• Robert Kessel: German author and journalist
• Eva Kessel: German-American journalist and business executive
• Andreas Kessel: Member of the international water polo team
• Mario Kessel: Professional athlete in many sports including volleyball
• Martin Kessel: German writer and poet
• Daniel Kessel: Former Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs
• Ignaz Kessel: Austrian botanist
• Ilse Kessel: German chemist and Nobel laureate
• Conrad Kessel: German painter
• Helene Kessel: Austrian-German actress of the Silent Film Era
• Ludwig Kessel: German photographer
• Ninon Kessel: French choreographer and dancer
• Bert Kessel: Dutch musician and composer
• Jacob Kessel: Swiss violin virtuoso

Other surnames

KeßelerKeßelheimKeßelhutKeßelhuthKeßelmannKeßelringKeßels