Surname Kiessl - Meaning and Origin
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Kiessl: What does the surname Kiessl mean?
The last name Kiessl is a German surname with roots in both Austria and Bavaria. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone who was strong and brave or a kind-hearted individual. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘kestel', which is a diminutive of the word ‘keste’, itself derived from the Latin ‘custos’ meaning ‘guard’ or ‘protector'. Historically, the surname Kiessl was often given to a member of the family who was looked up to or respected by the other members of the family.
Today, there are a number of variations of the name, including Kiesl, Kessel, and Kießl. The name is also commonly seen in the spelling Kießling, which is the traditional spelling in Bavaria. Regardless of the specific spelling, all of these surnames share the same basic meaning.
The surname Kiessl is most commonly found in and around Austria and Bavaria. It is also seen in the United States, where it is popular among a handful of immigrant families who left their homeland to pursue a better life.
Overall, the name Kiessl is steeped in history and tradition. It is a reminder of the strong, brave, and kind-hearted individuals who have borne the name, and carries with it the sentiment that their legacy will continue on in the future.
Order DNA origin analysisKiessl: Where does the name Kiessl come from?
The last name Kiessl is primarily a German surname from the areas around Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is originally from a region in Middle Franconia and Bavaria which is now part of the modern German state of Bavaria. The earliest known bearer of the name was one Symon de Keysal, who was a baron in the region in 1250, and the name has been present in the region ever since.
In modern times, the name is quite common in the area, and it can be found from a variety of sources. According to Whitepages, over 600 people have the last name Kiessl in Germany today. While it is most frequent in the Bavarian region, the name can be found all around Germany, including in larger cities such as Berlin and Munich.
Outside of Germany, the Kiessl name is also currently present in countries such as Austria and Switzerland, primarily due to the population of German immigrants. There is evidence of the surname being present in the United States since at least the late 19th century, when a tailor named Valentine Kiessl was listed in New York City in the 1880s. Since then, the name has spread throughout the country, and it can now be found from coast to coast.
Overall, the surname Kiessl is still quite common today, with the most frequent presence in Germany and the surrounding countries. It can also be found in other parts of the world due to immigration and travelers, and it is likely to continue to survive in different parts of the world for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Kiessl
The surname Kiessl is a Germanic toponymic surname derived from the Middle High German-term ‘kiesel’ meaning ‘stream’ or ‘brook’. The name is found in many varieties of spellings.
The most common spelling is Kiesel with variants such as Keisel, Keisler, Kiesel, Kiesler, Kitzel, Kitzler, Kißel, Kißler, Kiel, Kiell, Keil, Keill, Kyll, Kylles and Keils. Surnames of the same origin are Kil, Kieler, Kiecker, Kiecke, Kechermann, Kieber, Kiefer, Kieger, Kiehl, Kipp, Kipper, Kilger, and Kiemle.
The variant spelling Kissel is mostly found in Romania and Hungary. In the USA, the variants Kissell, Kessel, Kessell, and Kiesel are found.
In the Netherlands, the variant Kissel is popular, and in Austria, variants include Kieszl, Kiesling, Kießl, Kießling, and Kiszl.
In Poland, the variants include Kisel, Kisioł, Kiszla, and Kisielek.
In Germany, the variants sometimes change slightly from region to region, such as Kiesel in Hessen, Kießel in Bavaria, Kiessler in southern Germany and Kizel in Saxony. The Swiss version of the name is Kiesler or Kießler.
In other countries, Kiessl can be found as Kietsil in Finland, Kyessl in Slovakia, Kietz in Denmark, Kiesel in Sweden, Kizilelma in Serbia, and Kettel in Russia.
No matter the variant spelling, it originates from the Germanic 'kiesel' and all these different versions of the surname are connected through the same roots.
Famous people with the name Kiessl
- Christian Kiessl: a German animator and musician known for his animated short films and events in contemporary art spaces.
- Erhard Kiessl: an Austrian actor who has appeared in the television series Breaking Bad, The Moors of the East and Registranten.
- Franz Kiessl: a former Austrian ski jumper who competed in the Winter Olympics in 1976.
- Franz Kiessljunior: an Austria football player.
- Günther Kiessl: an Austrian footballer who played for clubs such as Rapid Vienna and FK Austria.
- Helmut Kiessling: an Austrian strongman and professional wrestler who was the multi-time Austrian champion in the sport.
- Joachim Kiessl: a former Austrian ski jumper who competed in the Winter Olympics in 1970 and 1976.
- Joseph Kiessling: a former Austrian ski jumper who competed in the Winter Olympics in 2002.
- Maximilian Kiessl: an Austrian tennis player and the Austrian U14 tennis champion.
- Rudolf Kiessl: a former Austrian ski jumper who competed in the Winter Olympics in 1988 and 1992.