Surname Munsel - Meaning and Origin

Munsel: What does the surname Munsel mean?

The last name Munsel appears to be of unknown origin and meaning. It is not listed in surname reference books or databases that provide meanings or origins based on historical records or linguistic analysis. It's possible that "Munsel" might have geographical or occupational roots, or perhaps be derived from a personal name, but without knowing its historical use and context, determining its meaning is challenging. Sometimes, the meaning of a surname can be lost over time, particularly if it originated from a dialect or minority language, or it may simply have been less common and therefore less well-documented. Additionally, other factors such as immigration and name changes can also complicate the tracing of a surname's etymology. It would be beneficial to know the cultural or regional context of the surname "Munsel" for a better understanding of its potential meaning or origin. It is also pertinent to mention that it was the surname of a famous American coloratura soprano, Patrice Munsel.

Munsel: Where does the name Munsel come from?

The surname Munsel is most commonly found today in the United States, where research shows it is the 15,567th most frequent last name. Furthermore, the highest concentration of people with the last name Munsel can be found in the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, as well as Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The exact origin of the name is unknown, but many speculate that it is a variation of the German name Muntz, which itself is derived from a Benedictine abbot named Monitus. It may also be derived from the French word “mons”, meaning “hill”. It has been widely speculated that the name Munsel is a locational surname, indicating that the original holders of the name lived in proximity to a hill.

The surname has a notable history of being adopted by multiple families across the US. It may also have been assumed by immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Records show that in the 1840 census, four separate families with the name Munsel were living in the United States, all in different states.

Today, the last name Munsel is still quite popular across the US, and has been spread to many other countries, including Canada, Australia, England, and Germany. Although the precise origin of the name remains unknown, it has become an integral part of many family histories.

Variations of the surname Munsel

Munsel is a surname that is of German origin and can have variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variant spellings include Munselle, Monsoll, Munsille, Minsel and Monsell. Other surnames of the same origin include Mundell, Mansell and Mintsell.

The original spelling of Munsel when it first appeared in records is "Munsel". The exact spelling of the surname is unknown prior to its first recorded appearance. The variant spellings that appeared in records are most likely due to phonetic spelling and interpretations of the spoken name at the time.

Munsel was a hereditary surname, most initially adopted in the early 12th century. During this time, German names were often recorded using the Latin alphabet and it was common practice to modify it, especially in the form of adding extra syllables as the German language had more syllables than Latin.

Munsel was a common name in Middle Ages Germany, and the name spread to other parts of Europe with the medieval migrations. Many different spellings were adopted as the name traveled further away from its original homeland.

The most common spelling in the United States is Munsell. The surname is still popular in the United States today, and the number of people with the surname Munsell is increasing. Variants of the surname, such as Munselle, Monsell, Mintsell and Monsoll, are still used in Europe and the United Kingdom.

Famous people with the name Munsel

• Patrice Munsel: American soprano and actress
• Pemmie Munsel: American Olympic swimmer
• Sally Munsel: American television and film actress
• Kenneth “Bud” Munsel: American Olympic wrestler
• William Munsel: American Olympic bobsledder
• George Munsel: American character actor
• Michael Munsel: American entrepreneur
• Marjorie Munsel: American silent film actress
• Paul Munsel: American composer
• C.T. Munsel: American soldier
• Frank Munsel: American wrestler
• Barry Munsel: American golf coach
• Victoria Munsel: American major league softball player
• Tom Munsel: American football coach
• Elliott Munsel: American college basketball coach
• Ken Munsel: American college basketball coach
• Alan Munsel: American opera singer
• Bill Munsel: American college basketball coach
• Race Munsel: American baseball player
• John Munsel: American professional basketball player

Other surnames

MunsellMunselle