Surname Neisel - Meaning and Origin
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Neisel: What does the surname Neisel mean?
The surname Neisel is a German and Dutch occupational name, derived from the Middle High German word ‘nüsel’ which means ‘a small servant’.
At the time when this name was given out as a surname, lower-class citizens were heavily relied on as servants by the upper-classes, typically as agricultural laborers, or performing other duties such as janitorial and manual labor tasks. This occupation was seen as an essential part of a working society in the Medieval period. This small servant surname was used to denote those who were lower members of the social class, most likely of German origin, and separated them from the other members of their community in terms of status.
The Neisel surname is sometimes seen in Dutch records as Niesel, which might denote a small servant with a Dutch background. Documents from the Medieval period show that the Neisel name was mainly found in the northern German region such as Lower Saxony, Westphalia, Brandenburg, Prussia and some parts of Austria.
The Neisel surname also saw some minor variations over the centuries, including a variation known as Neizel in certain regions. In modern Germany, the surname Neisel is still rare and typically found in the Bavarian region. Furthermore, among countries of emigration over the centuries, the Neisel surname can primarily be found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisNeisel: Where does the name Neisel come from?
The last name Neisel is most common today in the United States, where it ranks 8,130th nationally and is most commonly found in the Midwest region. Specifically, states like Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri tend to have the highest concentrations of individuals bearing the Neisel surname. It is believed that the Neisel family lineage originated in Germany during the 19th and/or 18th centuries, before spreading to America during the 19th and 20th century immigration waves. The Neisel name often carries religious connotations for certain family unions, as the Neisels were often behind the organization of Lutheran churches and Christian denominations in their new states of residence.
Generally speaking, the Neisel's tended to lead rather rural lives, mainly working in farming and crafts formations, such as blacksmithing and carpentry, as well as in a variety of other trades. Many other Neisels served in the military, with records showing many members of the family having served in the Civil War, WWI, WWII, and in The Korean War. Today, Neisels are found all across America, and many have maintained ties to their ancestral home in Germany, keeping their roots alive and their traditions rich.
Variations of the surname Neisel
The surname Neisel is one of the many distinct surnames that have evolved from its ancient Germanic root words “naise” and “lil”, which denote the valuable qualities of being an experienced leader. Over time, the surname has undergone various spelling changes in order to accommodate differing dialects and dialectical features.
The initial spelling of Neisel has been known to be “Neisehl”, “Naisel” and “Naesel”. Although these spellings are not too dissimilar from each other, they still suggest a gradual shifting of the letter usage as time passes. Furthermore, it can be seen that some families have reverted to the original spelling of Neisel while others have chosen the modern form of “Nysl”, “Neessl”, or “Neissel”.
In some cases, the Neisel surname has also undergone surname changes as members of a family move across the world. This is particularly evident as other variants such as “Nihel”, “Neish”, or “Nesh” has been documented amongst people of Germanic descent who lived in what is now the United States.
Concluding, the surname Neisel is one of many examples of family names that have undergone various changes over time due to dialectical differences and migratory movements. As such, people with the surname can expect to encounter the surname in several different spellings, as well as surname variations from countries far away from its place of origin.
Famous people with the name Neisel
- Ben Neisel: is a freestyle skier from Squaw Valley, California. He is a three-time X Games champion and two-time World Ski Championships silver medalist.
- Mark Neisel: is a former German water polo player and Olympic bronze medalist.
- Andrew Neisel: an American contemporary artist based in Los Angeles. Known for his distinctive colorful abstract paintings.
- Dr. Michael Neisel: a native of Mount Vernon, Washington, is an orthopedic surgeon at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
- Gemma Neisel: is an American singer, songwriter, and musician.
- Erin Neisel: is an American voice actress and singer who provides voices for a number of anime series.
- Jeff Neisel: Jeff Neisel is an American ice hockey player who plays for the University of Minnesota: Duluth.
- Joleen Neisel: is a Canadian competitive figure skater who currently skates in the junior ladies' singles category.
- Staci Neisel: is an American celebrity hairstylist, makeup artist, and founder of the Little Raven Salon.
- John Neisel: is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, currently serving as the CEO of U.S. Power and Energy, Inc.