Surname Kießl - Meaning and Origin
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Kießl: What does the surname Kießl mean?
Kießl is a German surname that comes from the Middle High German word “kessel” which means “kettle”. It is believed that the name originated as an occupational name to describe someone who was a kettle maker. In medieval times, kettles were used for a variety of purposes such as boiling water, cooking meals, and heating liquids for religious ceremonies. Over time, the spelling of the term gradually evolved, and the name Kießl was born.
The surname Kießl was mostly seen in the German states of Bavaria and Saxony during the 18th and 19th centuries, although it has since spread to other parts of Germany. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and some other European countries.
Today, people with the Kießl surname make up a small percentage of the total population of Germany. However, due to the surname’s frequency among select German-speaking communities and the popularity of genealogical research, the meaning and origin of Kießl have been documented and shared among family members through word of mouth.
As each generation of Kießl descendants moves further away from the origin of their surname, the meaning of Kießl remains a unique part of their familial heritage that has been passed down through the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKießl: Where does the name Kießl come from?
The last name Kießl is most commonly found in the German-speaking area, particularly in the south and southwest regions of Germany. Historically, the Kießl name was most prevalent in Bavaria where records such as the church books of many areas document the presence of the Kießl family from the late 18th century onwards. The particular spelling of the name is also particular to this region.
Today the Kießl name is most frequent in Bavaria, and in large towns such as Munich, Berlin and Hamburg. Smaller towns such as Memmingen, Oberstdorf and Eichstätt also have a substantial population of Kießls, and the name is also relatively common in Austria and Switzerland, with particular clusters around Schwäbisch Gmünd in Germany and Zurich in Switzerland.
Outside of the German-speaking area, families bearing the name Kießl can also be found in Eastern Europe and North America. Large families can be found as far north as Canada and as far south as Mexico, while smaller enclaves exist in countries such as Romania and Moldova.
The name Kießl is most commonly associated with the trade and agricultural professions, but descendants of the family also have a rich history of tradesmen, farmers, teachers, clergy, winemakers, and musicians. The Kießl family has remained an integral part of the German-speaking world for centuries, and while exact origins of the surname remain contested, it is clear that it continues to be an important part of the cultural landscape of today.
Variations of the surname Kießl
The surname Kießl is of German origin and is derived from the Germanic personal name Kezilo, meaning "victorious people". Variants of this surname include Kiesel, Kiesl, Kiesell, Kießel, Kießle, Kießner, and Kitzel.
Additionally, Kießl may also be spelled as Kiessl, Kiezl, and Kitzl.
The surname has a variety of regional spellings. In Germany, Kießl is found mostly in the southern regions, particularly in the Bavarian and Austrian regions. In some families, the surname is also spelled Kießla, Kießler, Kießlner, Kieseling, Kiesinger, or Kieselmann.
Other regional spellings include Kessel, Kissling, Kechel, Kuschel, Kieselhuber, Kision, and Kochel. Depending on where the family was from, the surname may also be spelled Kizel, Kizelman, Keczel, Kizler, Kislinger, Kichel, or Kushnel.
In the United States, the most common spellings of the surname are Kießl and Kiesel. Other spellings found in the U.S. include Kiessl, Kiezl, Keisling, Klingel, and Kitzel.
The surname Kießl is also found in other countries, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, and may be spelled differently. In Czech and Slovak, the variants are Kezli, Kiezli, and Kizli. In Hungary, the variants are Kiesel and Kizzel.
Famous people with the name Kießl
- Konrad Kießl: Born in 1931, Konrad Kießl is a retired Austrian alpine skier. He competed in the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy where he finished third in the men's downhill.
- Karl Kießl: Active during the 1950s, Karl Kießl was a German chemist and materials scientist who specialized in research related to batteries and other energy storage devices.
- Florian Kießl: Born in 1988, Florian Kießl is an Austrian animated film director and artist. Some of his works include the Suzie shortfilm and Teddy's Dream.
- Michael Kießl: Michael Kießl is a German politician and member of the Christian Social Union (CSU) political party. Since 1994, he has been a Member of the Regional Parliament in the German state of Bavaria.
- Ludwig Kießl: Ludwig Kießl was an Austrian painter and photographer who was active in the late 19th century. He was heavily influenced by the Vienna Secessionist movement of the time and is known for his work entitled "Deutsche Kartoffeln".
- Ernst Kießl: Ernst Kießl was an Austrian actor who was active during the 20th century. He had performed in several radio and theatre productions and had large roles in films such as 1941's "DKW Rennen" and 1952's "Galopprennen in Weidmannsdorf".
- Mary Kießl: Mary Kießl is an American Public Health and Wellness Advocate based in Arizona. She has written several books about wellness and nutrition and runs a blog and podcast with the aim of teaching people about healthy habits.