Surname Sissell - Meaning and Origin

Sissell: What does the surname Sissell mean?

The surname Sissell is of unknown origin and its meaning is not clearly documented. It is believed to have French and English roots, possibly derived from the French name "Sissot", which is a diminutive of the ancient French personal name "Sichier". On the other hand, some sources suggest it could be related to the German name "Siesel," which is a variant of the personal name "Cecil". Cecil derives from the Latin "Caecilius" which means "blind". However, these are only theories and there is no definitive origin or meaning for the surname Sissell. It usage has been recorded in various countries, including Germany, Norway, and the United States.

Sissell: Where does the name Sissell come from?

The surname Sissell is of Anglo-Saxon origin, arising from the ancient kingdoms of Britain. It is believed to have two possible origins. The first is from the medieval English given name ‘Sisel’, which itself originated from the Old Norse name ‘Sigsteinn’. The second possible origin is a location name, from places like Siss Clough in Lancashire or Sessile, a popular medieval unisex first name. The spelling of the surname has evolved over centuries, with variations such as Syssel, Sissill, Cissell, Sissel, and others being recorded.

Given its English origins, the surname is quite common in English-speaking countries, particularly in Britain and the United States, with smaller concentrations in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, it remains more common in the United States compared to other English-speaking nations but is still considered a relatively rare surname overall. Despite its rarity, there are a few notable people bearing this surname, such as American singer and violinist, Sissel Kyrkjebø, often known simply as Sissel, emphasizing the name’s continued link with Norse regions.

Variations of the surname Sissell

The surname Sissell is of English origin and a variant spelling of the surname Sisley or Sicily. There are numerous variants and spellings for this surname that have evolved over centuries due to various factors such as phonetics, geographical location and individual spellings. Some of these include Cesil, Sisel, Sissle, Sisell, Sissill, Sizel, and Sisley.

The surname Sisley originated from the Old Norman personal name "Sisley," which was introduced in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It means "From Sicily," an island in the Mediterranean. The variations Sisell, Sissel, Sisell, and Sissell emerged mainly in the United States reflecting the part of the country or the dialect of the settler.

Additionally, some surnames with similar spelling such as Siesel, Sissel, and Sissell could potentially be Jewish surnames of Ashkenazi origin.

Tracking the lineage of such a surname can therefore be quite complex due to these many variants, but records such as census, immigration and military can provide key insights into the formation and evolution of these surnames over time.

Famous people with the name Sissell

• Sissel Kyrkjebø: A Norwegian soprano who has released albums in various genres such as pop, folk, and classical music.
• David Sissell: An American businessman and oil executive. He's the CEO of the oil and natural gas company, Karnes.
• Erik Sissel: A Swedish pentathlete who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• Skylar Sissel: A music producer and composer popular for his contribution to movie projects such as 'Serpent' and 'Beyond the River'.
• Bob Sissel: An American football player who was an end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Louisville Colonels.
• Peter Sissel: A German cameraman and film producer most known for his work in wildlife filmmaking.
• DJ Sissel: An American disc jockey popular for electronic dance music and remixes.

Other surnames

Sisse