Surname Drexel - Meaning and Origin

Drexel: What does the surname Drexel mean?

The last name Drexel is of German origin. The name was first found in the historic region of Rhineland, where the family was anciently associated with the political and religious conflicts of the area. The surname is derived from the Middle High German term "drehen," meaning "to turn," and "slahen", meaning "to hit". Hence, it was likely first used as a nickname for a skilled spinner or a popular phrase which then turned into a surname, or perhaps referred to someone who was good at "turning the tables" in games or arguments. The Drexel family was a prominent one, producing individuals who were important in public affairs. In America, the best-known person with this surname is Anthony Joseph Drexel, the 19th-century financier and philanthropist who founded Drexel University in Philadelphia. Thus, the last name Drexel means a "spinner" or someone skilled at turning things around and carries a historical significance due to its association with a prestigious family line.

Drexel: Where does the name Drexel come from?

The last name Drexel is most commonly found in the United States today. Although originally of German descent, the most recent influx of Drexel families emigrated from Switzerland in the 1700s.

The Drexel name can be traced to the city of Speyer located in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of southwest Germany. The Drexel family originated from the Drexler surname, with the earliest known mention of the surname taking place in Speyer in 1414. The family made its way to Switzerland, mostly likely in the 1700s, and then later to the United States's in the 1800s.

Today, the name Drexel is scattered throughout the United States, although there is a higher concentration concentrated in Pennsylvania, particularly in the Philadelphia area. Drexel is an especially common name in the states of New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

Outside the United States, the name has also been found in Canada, with a significant population located in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The name is not widely found in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Drexel

The Drexel family name is derived from various Germanic personal names. Variants of the name can include Dräxl, Drechsler, Drechslers and Dreksler. It is thought that these variant surnames originate from the Middle High German word "drehseler", meaning "one who stands ready to fight". The name is also related to Drechsel, a German craft of turning wood into columns, fluted bowls and other items.

Common spellings of Drexel make use of a double "x" or "ss" to represent the sound of the letter "x" in the German language. Some of the common spellings include Dreensl, Dresel, Drexel, Drehsler and Dreksler. The spelling of the name may depend on the individual’s region or country of origin.

The Drexel surname may also be found in other parts of the world. For instance, in Russia the equivalent surname is Drinslovic, in Czech it is Drexla, and in Hungary it is Drecsler. It is also seen as De Drexel in France, and as Drebsl or Drepsl in Poland.

In the United States, Drexel is typically an Americanized version of the original German surname. Other Americanized forms include Draxel, Draxler, Dressel, Dressler, Dresl, Drexler, Drossel, Drosler and Drussel.

Often, surname variants and spellings will have more than one origin or single source. Thus, it is important to research the origin of the name to establish the specific spelling or variation of Drexel. For example, a family may have derived the name from one source, such as their German heritage, but adopted a later, Americanized spelling.

Famous people with the name Drexel

• J.P. Drexel: American financier, philanthropist and founder of Drexel University
• Tony Drexel: American entrepreneur and heir to Drexel & Company
• Edward Drexel: 19th century philanthropist and partner at Drexel & Co.
• Anthony Drexel: 19th century banker who founded Drexel, Morgan & Co.
• Grace Gallatin Seton-Thompson Drexel: American socialite and philanthropist
• Eva Drexel Biddle: American philanthropist and daughter of Anthony Drexel
• Marilyn Drexel: American socialite and philanthropist
• Dorrance Hill Hamilton: American businesswoman and widow of J.P. Drexel
• Lee Drexel: German entrepreneur and investor
• Christine Drexel: German-born model, philanthropist, and former wife of Lee Drexel

Other surnames

Drexelius