Surname Whissell - Meaning and Origin
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Whissell: What does the surname Whissell mean?
The last name Whissell is of English origins. It is derived from Old English and can be translated as the “dweller at the Whis” or the “dweller by the water meadow.” In England, the Whissell family name and place name were first found in Staffordshire, where some of the first records of the name are found in records dating back to the mid-1500s. The Whissell surname is a habitation name, which is derived from a place name, and was likely taken on by families who moved to a different area and adopted the name of their former residence.
The Whissell family has spread far and wide, eventually leaving England in the 1700s and 1800s and settling in the United states, Canada, and Australia. Today, the Whissell family still resides across the globe with some of them in the United States, Canada, and even as far as Japan and Korea.
The Whissell name proudly displays the strength, resourcefulness, and determination displayed by its ancestors during their migrations across the world in search of new lands and better opportunities. The family’s history of moving is a reminder of the timeless qualities of courage and resourcefulness that can be seen in individuals and families alike who seek to find a better life. This rare yet valuable name lives on in those who bear the Whissell surname and continue the proud family tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisWhissell: Where does the name Whissell come from?
The last name Whissell is a surname found mainly throughout the United States and Canada. Over the last century, the surname has spread from its origins in Pennsylvania in the United States to many other parts of the world. In terms of its distribution in the US, Whissell appears to be most widely found in the Mid-Atlantic and New England states, with Pennsylvania being the state where the surname is most concentrated. In fact, the Pennsylvania census of 1940 showed that the Whissell name was the most populated in the state, with over 500 households using this name. Within Canada, the Whissell name is mostly found in the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba. Other countries where the name is commonly found include the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. As a result, it appears that over the past century, the Whissell surname has become a much more widely used name throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Whissell
The Whissell surname has a few variants, spellings, and other related surnames. Whissell is an anglicized spelling of the German surname Wissel. Other variants and spellings of this name are Weissle, Wissel, Weissel, Wisella, Weissler, Wyssel, and Whizel.
An alternate form of Wissel is Wysel, which has additional spellings such as Wessel and Wyssel. This last form is very popular in Dutch-speaking countries. Variations of this name can be found throughout Europe in many different languages, such as Wiisell in Finnish, Wiśel in Polish, Wüsel in German, and Vyssell in Czech. These regional variants may have also been used as patronymics, or name variations created from the father's name.
There are also other related surnames that could be categorized under the Whissell family. These include variants such as Visser, Van Vyssel, and Vyszinski. In the United States, the surnames Whysall and Visel may also be related to Whissell.
The Whissell surname is thought to be of occupational origin, indicating that the initial bearer of the name was an individual who sold goods of some kind. This occupational surname is believed to have made its way across different parts of Europe as an occupational name taking on different variants. The current variants of the name are a testament of the name’s spread.
Famous people with the name Whissell
- Taylor Whissell: Canadian figure skater, competing ladies singles.
- Jocelyn Whissell: Canadian ice hockey player and an Olympic silver medalist.
- Hannah Whissell: Canadian actress best known for her starring role in the 2018 film Turbo Kid and her television appearances on Wynonna Earp, The Umbrella Academy, and Raising Dion.
- Tim Whissell: German actor, known for his appearances in films such as Die neue Zeit, Caretta Caretta, Wie immer Cheyenne, Bang Boom Bang, and Rosenstraße.
- Carys Whissell: British Paralympic swimmer and world champion who has cerebral palsy.
- Richard Whissell: Canadian actor, producer, and film director known for his work on films such as Darken Me, I, and The Philosopher's Club.
- Ty Whissell: Canadian professional baseball player who has played for the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
- A.D. Whissell: American actor and producer best known for his roles in comedies such as Vacation, Ted 2, and Daddy's Home.
- Angus Whissell: Canadian film and television producer best known for his work on shows such as Supernatural, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Good Doctor.
- Lester L. Whissell: American Major General who served on the War Plans Division for the United States Army.