Surname Kiesslinger - Meaning and Origin

Kiesslinger: What does the surname Kiesslinger mean?

The last name Kiesslinger is a Germanic surname derived from the Middle High German word “kies”, which was used to refer to any stone-like object. Over time, this became the surname for an individual or family who either owned, worked in, or lived near a quarry or other type of stoneworking business. Specifically, the “Kies” portion of the name refers to a gravel quarry, while the “linger” portion is a diminutive form of “ling”, meaning “meadow”, which likely referred to the areas of land around the quarry where the stones were collected.

As such, to have the last name Kiesslinger often signifies an ancient tradition of stonemasonry, possibly linked to the family’s mining and quarrying history. Many of these individuals or families were also involved in the construction of buildings, churches, and monuments, with their skills being passed down to later generations. Today, the Kiesslinger surname is still found in Germany and throughout Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

The origins of the name Kiesslinger and the stonemasonry skills it represents speak to a long history of perseverance and determination to build something of lasting value. Whether the surname belongs to a family of quarry workers, church builders, or monument makers, it will always serve as a reminder of the legacy that generations have passed down, and of the hard work that has gone into achieving great things.

Kiesslinger: Where does the name Kiesslinger come from?

The last name Kiesslinger is predominately found in Germany today. It is especially common in the state of Bavaria in the southeast of the country, in particular in the towns of Hof, Bayreuth, and Erlangen. The name originated in the Middle Ages in Franconia, which is an area in central Germany, but today most people with this surname live south of this region.

The Kiesslinger name has evolved over time and still remains popular today. In earlier times, people had multiple spellings and pronunciations of the name, including Kaslinger, Keeslinger, and Keßlinger. Now, most people with this last name typically spell it Kiesslinger.

Kiesslingers tend to be proud of their heritage and family ties. Those with the surname may even belong to one of the many Kiesslinger family associations in Germany today. Thes associations are there to help to preserve the family's history, culture, and even their traditions.

Many of the Kiesslingers living today continue to stay close to their family roots. Family reunions are popular, with many reuniting in towns such as Hof or Bayreuth where the family's roots are linked.

Overall, the last name Kiesslinger still remains popular in Germany today, especially in Bavaria. By joining a family association, attending family reunions or simply staying close to their family's roots, Kiesslingers stay proudly connected to their shared heritage.

Variations of the surname Kiesslinger

Kiesslinger (also spelled as Keesslinger, Kesslinger, Kieslinger, Kieseler, Kieselinger, Kießlinger, Kiessling, Kießling, Kiesslings, Keesslings, Kieslings, Kieslings, Kösslings, Kösslinger, Kößlinger, Kößlings, Kieselings, Kieselings) is an Old German surname. It is derived from the personal name “Kiesil”. This name is a combination of two elements, “kess” which means “bold” or “courageous” and “ling” which is a diminutive suffix, so overall the name means “little bold one”.

The surname Kiesslinger has many variants all coming from the same German origin, such as Kesslinger, Kieslinger, Kieseler, Kieselinger, Keesslinger, Kießlinger, Kiessling, Kießling, Kiesslings, Keesslings, Kieslings, Kieslings, Kösslings, Kösslinger, Kößlinger, Kößlings, Kieselings, and Kieselings.

Among these variants, Kesslinger, Kieseler, and Kieselinger are the most common. Kieseler is derived from the Middle High German word “kiesel” and translates to “gravelly soil”. It is likely that this variant of the name originated as an occupational name, as someone who worked with gravel. Kieslinger and Kiesling are also common variants of the surname. Kiesling means “a young, active person” or a “little hero”, derived from the German word “kiesel” for “stone, gravel”.

Other variants are more rare. Kösslings, Kösslinger, Kößlinger, Kößlings, and Kieselings began to emerge in the early 19th century when people being to move away from their homes and began calling the next local village by their family name an extended, more localized version of the name. This gave rise to additional local variant surnames with more localized usage.

Overall, the surname Kiesslinger is found in many different countries by various variant spellings as people of the same origin migrated. While the primary meaning of the surname remains “little bold one”, its variant spellings and surnames have rich historic meanings in their own right.

Famous people with the name Kiesslinger

• Bernd Kiesslinger: Bernd Kiesslinger is a German professor at the University of Innsbruck, specializing in causal network systems theory, research methods in the social sciences and technology engineering.
• Paul Kiessling: Paul Kiessling is a German biotechnologist and engineer. His research discusses matters related to stem cell and cancer therapy as well as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
• Adalbert Kiesslinger: Adalbert Kiesslinger is a former German Olympic and European champion in Freestyle wrestling.
• Dietmar Kiesslinger: Dietmar Kiesslinger is a German politician and former member of the German parliament. He is a member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany.
• Jean Kiesslinger: Jean Kiesslinger was a Swiss miner. He was the father of German politician Dietmar Kiesslinger.
• Johann Andreas Kiesslinger: Johann Andreas Kiesslinger was a German composer and music teacher.
• Hannes Kiesslinger: Hannes Kiesslinger is a German artistic director, writer, and producer. He has directed and produced various award-winning films and television series.
• Matthias Kiesslinger: Matthias Kiesslinger is a German film director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. He has worked on various award-winning films and television series.
• Eike Kiesslinger: Eike Kiesslinger is a German actor and comedienq He is known for his appearances in various television shows and films.

Other surnames

Kiessling