Surname Exel - Meaning and Origin

Exel: What does the surname Exel mean?

The last name Exel is of French origin and derives from the Old French term “eschel” which means “family or people living near the ash tree”. In French, the term “exel” is used to refer to the ash tree itself. The name is believed to have originated in the Languedoc region in Southern France, specifically from the city of Ax-Les-Thermes in the Pyrenees.

The Exel surname can be found in many modern countries, particularly in France, North America, England, and Ireland. In France, there are over 700 people with the last name Exel. In the United States and Canada, it is relatively obscure, with fewer than 1,000 people noted as bearing the Exel surname.

The Exel surname is associated with various families throughout the centuries, however it is not known definitively where the first occurrence of this particular name originated. Some suggest the first family bearing this name were Huguenot refugees who escaped France to escape religious persecution in the 17th century.

The Exel family name is associated with nobles, and records from the late 18th century suggest the family was in possession of two villages in France. The family was prominent in French society until the 19th century, when they began to branch out to other parts of Europe and eventually to North America.

Today, those with the Exel surname are well-respected and proud of their heritage. They may have different backgrounds and come from different countries, but the history and pride of the Exel name is shared by all of them.

Exel: Where does the name Exel come from?

The last name Exel can be found in countries all around the world today. Some of the most common countries are Germany, United States, Switzerland, and Austria.

In Germany, the name Exel is very common, likely due to immigration from the Czech Republic during the 19th Century and the Second World War. The name has been used in Germany since at least the early 1800s and can be found in many vital records from that time period.

In the United States, the name is very popular. According to the latest census, there are over 12,000 people listed with the Exel surname. The majority of those tracing their last name back to the original immigrants, coming mostly from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

In Switzerland the name is also quite common. It is often spelled Xel, due to the spelling in German-speaking areas. Again, the original immigrants come from Germany and Austria, but there were also some of French origin.

Lastly, in Austria, the name can be found across the nation. The earliest record of Exel dates back to Medieval Austria, but many of the current Exels come from the original immigrants.

Overall, the name Exel can be found around the world. It is particularly common in Germany, Switzerland, the United States, and Austria, but has been seen elsewhere, including France, the Czech Republic, and other countries.

Variations of the surname Exel

The surname Exel has several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include:

Exel, Exell, Exall, Exelles, Axell, Axall, Exeel, Exeell, Exil, Exill, Exile, Exyle, Eschel, Esshell, Osthell, and Oscell.

Exel is derived from various Old English words, most commonly "ecg," meaning "edge," or "axe," and "huse," meaning "house", which carries the meaning of "one who hails from an area at the edge or border of a settlement". Additional variations of Exel include "Eskil" which is a Northern European name derived from Scandinavian given name "Esge", and Astle, Astill, Astles, and Astells which are derivatives of the Old English word "aest," meaning "east".

In some cases, such as Osthell, the spelling may have been altered to reflect the local pronunciation of the name, as "osten" could refer to an area near a river or waterway.

Exel is a fairly common surname found in many parts of the world, from the United Kingdom, to the United States, Canada and beyond. It is also believed to have a place of origin in the Netherlands. In the United Kingdom, Exel can be found mainly in the counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, London, and Kent. This surname can also be found in the old parish registers in the area surrounding the towns of Cambridge and Essex.

The Exel surname has many variants and spellings, and is a very diverse surname with various origins from different parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Exel

• Allen Exel: A former professional basketball player in the Continental Basketball Association.
• Stephanie Exel: A Dutch Beach Volleyball professional.
• Jaime Exel: A Spanish professional basketball player.
• Rolf Exel: A former Swedish football player.
• Jimmy Exel: An American football player in the Canadian Football League.
• Douglas Exel: A former Australian Rules footballer.
• Jordan Exel: A former basketball coach at Gannon University.
• Sarah Exel: A professional water skier and wakeboarder.
• David Exel: A professional motocross racer from Australia.
• Beau Exel: A professional boxer from Australia.

Other surnames

Exeli