Surname Oechsel - Meaning and Origin
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Oechsel: What does the surname Oechsel mean?
The last name Oechsel is believed to be of German origin, although its precise meaning and etymology is not known. It may have derived from a German nickname meaning "wealthy," or "rich one," derived from ochse, or "oxen," which were generally considered a valuable asset in the Middle Ages. It may have also been a reference to a profession, such as a riverman or an agricultural worker, with the implication that the bearer of the name was respected in the community.
Alternately, the name could have come from a compound word meaning "low oaks," derived directly from ochs, or "ox," and eich, or "oak." This would indicate that the earliest bearers of the Oechsel name originated in a region with low lying oak stands. This is an example of a toponymic name, where the name's origin is derived from a geographical area or locality.
Whichever origin is true, it is clear that the Oechsel name is an enduring one, with records going back to the 1600s in Germany. It is believed that many people with the Oechsel name, or its variants, have since migration to France, Austria, and the United States. The Oechsel name has continued to prevail, and today is found in many cultures across the globe.
Order DNA origin analysisOechsel: Where does the name Oechsel come from?
The last name Oechsel is most commonly found today in Germany, though there is some evidence that the name has spread to other countries in Europe and possibly around the world with Germanic migration patterns.
The earliest known reference to the name Oechsel was a record created around 1559 in a small town called Oechsendorf in Germany. It originated as a form of a patronymic name for a person with the given name of Oechs. For many centuries, this name has remained popular in the same area.
Recorded in various spelling forms including Ouchs, Oechs, Oecks, Oechsel, Oechel, and Oachs, various branches of the same family have spread throughout Bavaria and beyond.
In modern times, Oechsel is still most commonly found in Germany with Bavaria having the highest concentration of people carrying the name in the country. Records also indicate a small number of individuals bearing the name having moved to other European countries such as England, France, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland.
In the United States, the Oechsel name is found most frequently in Pennsylvania where it looks to have been introduced with German immigration during the 1700s and 1800s. It is also recorded in other states including California, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Ohio.
Due to its popularity in Germany and movements by Germanic groups, it is also possible that the name Oechsel is represented in other countries around the world today.
Variations of the surname Oechsel
The surname Oechsel has many variants and alternate spellings including Acksel, Achsel, Oechesel, Oechel, Oeckels, Oeschel, Oeschesel, Öchsel and Öschel.
The names Acksel and Achsel are likely derived from the German word "Achsel," meaning "shoulder," and suggests the long-wearing of a heavy burden.
The variant Oechesel may have come from a combination of the German clubs “Oemarkt” and “Oesele,” both of which were members of a confederacy of towns and cities.
The spelling Oechel may be derived from the German Americans of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, who often changed the spelling of many German names when they immigrated to the United States.
The variant Oeckels likely has its roots in the German word "eckel" which means "corner" or "cliff" and was likely first used to refer to someone who lived near such a feature.
The variant Oeschel is thought to be derived from the Old Germanic term “eo," which means "dwelling," and probably refers to a person who resided in the same home as their ancestors.
The spelling Oeschesel is likely derived from the Old Germanic "Oeschen," which means "oak tree," and could have referred to someone who lived near such a tree.
The variants Öchsel and Öschel are German abbreviations of the name Oechsel and could have been applied to people who lived near castles or other fortified structures.
Regardless of its origin, the surname Oechsel can be found all over the world today, from North America to Germany to Brazil.
Famous people with the name Oechsel
- Chris Oechsel: Chris Oechsel is a former professional football player who played for teams such as the Houston Oilers, San Francisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns.
- David Oechsel: David Oechsel is an American actor who has appeared in movies like Heat, Kingpin, and Apollo 13.
- Jimmy Oechsel: Jimmy Oechsel is an actor, writer, and producer known for his roles in movies such as The Wrestler, Fry Day, and Hot Dog.
- Gary Oechsel: Gary Oechsel is an American politician who has served as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives.
- Abel Oechsel: Abel Oechsel is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known as a drummer for the band The Smashing Pumpkins.
- Matt Oechsel: Matt Oechsel is a former starting pitcher who spent four seasons in the Major League Baseball.
- Win Oechsel: Win Oechsel is a retired American professional baseball player who played in the minor leagues.
- William Oechsel: William Oechsel was an American doctor, professor, and author. He was the author of the book Treatment of the Mentally Ill.
- Fitzgerald Oechsel: Fitzgerald Oechsel is a professional hockey player who has played for several teams in the American Hockey League.
- Anna Oechsel: Anna Oechsel is an American physician and scientist who has research published in the fields of Imaging, Surgery, and Oncology.