Surname Kreißel - Meaning and Origin
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Kreißel: What does the surname Kreißel mean?
The last name Kreißel is a German-language name that originated in areas of Germany known as the Rhineland or Lower Saxony. The name Kreißel is derived from the old German word “kroschel”, which is a colloquial term for a small or thin potato. This term likely developed when a family of potato farmers chose their agricultural product as a surname, settling on the more phonetically friendly “Kreißel”. As the surname spread through Germany, a few families settled in areas outside of the Rhineland and Lower Saxony, so today the name is seen all over Germany.
The name is thought to have come about during the 13th century, around the same time that surnames began to become more common. The original meaning was likely the same as it is now – someone who was small or thin. As with most surnames, many variations developed over the centuries, including “Krischel”, “Kraschel” and even “Kreissl” in some regions.
Today, the surname is quite popular in Germany. In 2020, it was the 816th most common name across the country. This is due largely to the fact that it is relatively easy to spell and pronounce, making it a convenient name choice for people of all backgrounds. There are even records of the name being used by immigrants to the United States in the 19th century, though it is not as common today.
Order DNA origin analysisKreißel: Where does the name Kreißel come from?
The last name Kreißel is quite common today, and can primarily be found across parts of Central Europe. It is most common in Germany and Poland, and can also seen in areas of Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary.
The last name is derived from the German word for a turning wheel, or 'Kreisel.' This was likely an occupational surname, meaning bearers of the name early on were likely craftsmen who worked with wheels.
Areas where the last name is most common today include Germany, where it ranks among the thousand most popular surnames according to the Central Institute for Statistics of Germany1. Other popular areas for the last name include Poland, where it is found near the border areas that connect with Germany2.
The last name is also seen in other parts of Central Europe, in particular in Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. It is quite rare in these countries, and does not rank among the most common surnames in any of them. It is likely that bearers of this last name here have a more recent German, Polish, or Hungarian background.
Overall, the last name Kreißel is most common in Germany and Poland, and can also be seen in some parts of Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. It is a surname of German or Slavic origin, and likely one that was originally related to a craft involving wheels.
References:
1. http://www.meyers-gegenwart.de/
2. https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krei%C5%9Bel
Variations of the surname Kreißel
The surname Kreißel is derived from an old German term kraiz, meaning "curly." It is believed to have been used as an occupational name for a maker or seller of tools with curved blades, such as scythes or sickles. Over time, the word mutated, resulting in various variants of the surname, including Kressle, Kressler, Kräißel, Kraeisel, Kressl, Kreisler, Kresslein, Kreßel, and Krässel.
The Bavarian variation of the surname is Kresse, where it is thought to have been an occupational name for a blacksmith or craftsman. Another German variation is Kressl, which is derived from the Gothic word kresilo, meaning "scrip."
Variations of the surname have also been found in France and Austria. In France, the name has mutated to Kresset, Kressette, Kressot, Kresel, and Kressel. In Austria, it is spelled Krezel, Krezala, and Krecel.
In the United States, the majority of variations are of Germanic origin. Kressley and Kressly are Americnaized versions of the surname, while Kreisel is the most common spelling. Other American variations include Kresslen, Cressler, Cressley, Kreisler, Krysel, Kreusler, Kressel, and Kreese.
All of the variations of this surname are a testament to the way language and culture can evolve and change over time. This surname, although originally derived from an occupational moniker, has mutated to become a commonly found family name in many countries. As is visible in the many spellings of the name Kreißel, it is evident that it has a rich and interesting history.
Famous people with the name Kreißel
- Wolfgang Kreißel: A German classical singer, who was the head of choral music at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich.
- Johann Friedrich Kreißel: A German philosopher and legal scholar who served as professor of philosophy and rector of the University of Göttingen.
- Nikolaus Kreißel: An Austrian classical composer, pianist, and conductor, who was mainly active in the late Baroque period.
- Susanne Kreißel: An Austrian athlete, who competed in athletics and swimming in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
- Ernst Kreißel: A German actor and Kabarett artist, who has performed and recorded extensively.
- Gerard Ireneus Kreißelmann: A Dutch priest known for being an important figure in the early years of the Protestant church in the Netherlands.
- Max Kreißel: A German professor of telecommunications, who served as professor emeritus at Technische Universität Darmstadt.
- Theodor Kreißel: A German classical pianist and composer, who was influential in the development of music education in the 19th century.
- Christa Kreißel: A German nurse, who was one of the nurses accused and convicted of killing patients in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.
- Henry Kreißel: An American art composer and music educator at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, who wrote several musical works and established the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.