Surname Kessele - Meaning and Origin
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Kessele: What does the surname Kessele mean?
The last name Kessele is a patronymic name, derived from the given name Kessell or Kessel. Historically, it has been used as a surname throughout the British Isles, especially in Scotland where it is most commonly found.
The name is thought to be derived either from the Old English word ‘ceosan’, meaning to divide or separate, or from the Old Germanic word ‘kesil’, meaning a cask or barrel. Given its characteristics, it is thought that this surname likely originated with an initial bearer who was a barrel maker or cooper.
The earliest form of the name, preeceil, was recorded in 1214. It is believed that the name Kessele was first established in Wiltshire in 1275. The name later spread to neighboring counties in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
Throughout its history, Kessele has been adopted by many noble and influential families including the prestigious families of 'Kessely of County Cork' and 'Kesseler of County Durham'.
In modern times, the Kessele name is still quite common throughout the British Isles and beyond. For those bearing this surname, it is an indication of their distinguished English or Scottish ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisKessele: Where does the name Kessele come from?
The surnames Kessele and Kessell have been around for centuries and were first found in the South West of England. Initially established in Devon and Cornwall, in later centuries the name spread across the UK.
Today, those with the surname Kessele (or its variants) are often found on the Southeastern coast of England, primarily in Essex, Kent, Sussex and Suffolk. These counties are relatively close to where the inhabitant’s families were first found.
Along with people in the UK, there is an active presence of the Kessele family in the United States. Making their appearance in the US in the mid-1800s, many people with this surname emigrated from England. Modern-day states with a higher frequency of occurrences include Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York.
The Kessele line of England also has presence in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This is largely due to the population variants of the 1800s’ travelling to these English-colonized countries.
So while the surname Kessele certainly has roots in the South West of England, it is no longer limited to that one area. The surname has been able to spread across both sides of the Atlantic and is now to be found all across the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Kessele
Kessele is a surname of German and Jewish origin. Although it is most commonly spelled “Kessele” in modern times, there are several variants and spelling variations of the name, including Kalser, Kassler, Kesseler, Kesler, Kesser, Kesseler, Kieser, and Kishler.
The earliest known record of the Kessele surname appears in the 14th century, when a man named Heinemann Kessele was mentioned in historical documents. The original spelling of the surname is believed to have been “Kesseler” or “Kassele,” derived from the German word for “bucket” or “cask.” This was likely a nickname for someone who made or sold buckets, possibly a reference to a family business.
As the Kessele surname spread across Europe, the spelling was adapted to various regional dialects. In German, the spelling shifted to Kesser, Kesseler, and Kessele. In Jewish families, the variants Kishler and Kalser became increasingly common. French accents and influence led to the emergence of the Kesler variation, while the Kieser spelling was more common in areas of Germany with Slavic influence.
Today, the Kessele surname is still scattered across Europe and beyond, with significant populations in Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, the United States, Canada, and beyond. Despite its ancient origins and numerous spelling variations, Kessele remains a relatively rare surname.
Famous people with the name Kessele
- Paul Kesseler: German international footballer.
- Maristella Kessalé-Scanio: Italian opera singer.
- Mary Kesseler: American actress.
- Friedrich Kesseler: German organist and composer of the Baroque era.
- Susanne Kesseler: German film and television actress.
- Julius Kesseler: German pianist and composer of the Romantic era.
- Hans Kesseler: German painter and sculptor.
- Elke Kesslau-Kesseler: German television presenter.
- Antje Kesseler: German pianist and author.
- Lutz Kesseler: German physicist and chemist.
- Friedrich Wilhelm Kesseler: Prussian jurist.
- Heinz Kesseler: former German football goalkeeper.
- Theodor Kesseler: German painter and etcher.
- Johann Karl Kesseler: German organ builder.