Surname Reißel - Meaning and Origin
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Reißel: What does the surname Reißel mean?
The last name Reißel is of German origin and is thought to have derived from the Middle High German term "risel," which in turn derived from the Old High German term "risalo." The personal name Risal is thought to have been derived from the Germanic word "rīs," which means "brushwood" or "twigs." As such, the last name Reißel is thought to have indicated a family that was originally associated with this type of vegetation, either through the process of cutting, gathering, or managing.
The distribution of this surname is highly concentrated in the state of Bavaria in Germany, which is assumed to be its place of origin. From there, people bearing this surname ultimately migrated to areas in northern Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria. Today, there are many variants of this name, including those that have been anglicized to Rishel, Reece, and Ressel.
Overall, the origin and meaning of the last name Reißel is much broader than simply referring to brushwood and twigs. The name has gone through many changes in spelling over the centuries, and this is reflective of the extended period of migration and changes of habitation for the people who have historically borne this name. Each family line, in its own unique and personal way, has proudly carried the mantle of this name throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisReißel: Where does the name Reißel come from?
The last name Reißel is most commonly found in Germany, as the name is of German origin. Another area where it can be found is Germany's neighboring countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland. Other places where the name can be found are parts of areas in Eastern Europe, specifically in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The last name Reißel is an occupational surname related to woodworking. Specifically, the use of the term “Riegel” is German for “slatted”, and was used to describe the making of wooden slats for producing boards, floors, and other furniture materials. Those who worked as wood makers of these items in the historic times usually adopted the surname “Reißel”.
In modern times, the surname has become divided into various different spelling variations, such as Reisel, Reisele, Reissel, and Rissel. These different addition to the name have ultimately led to the name becoming spread out even further across Europe.
Apart from Europe, today the last name Reißel has been found in areas all around the world. These regions include parts of Australia, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Chile, and other places. It is likely that the surname traveled to these regions over the past 150 years due to people migrating from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and this ultimately led to its reach around the world today.
Variations of the surname Reißel
Reißel is an Old German surname originating from the Old High German word "Riesel," which means a dried, shrivelled up or blocked stream. There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for "Reißel." These include Raisel, Reesel, Raesel, Resl, Riesel, Raisel, Reisel, Reichel, Reis, Risel, Riesel, Ries, Reiselmann, Riss, Risser, Raicke, Reisener, Reicher, Raeser, Raussel, Rausser, Reichermann, Rausch, Reichert, Reicherts, Reiss, Reisser, Reichertz, and Risch.
The earliest known reference to the surname "Reißel" dates back to the year 1390, when an individual named Ulrich von Austrasien is recorded in German literature as having the surname "Risel." This surname was also used by members of the German noble family Reiss von Mansberg in the 15th century.
Many of the variants and surnames of the same origin are derived from the same geographical area, as members of the same genetic family may have spread out and adopted slightly different spellings or variants. Some spelling variations were because of the language spoken at the time of the surname's origin. For example, Scandinavians may have changed or simplified spelling to fit the Swedish language.
In some instances, variant spellings were a result of clerical errors or transcriptions by church officials in the past. Additionally, variants may have been created when immigrants, such as those from German-speaking countries, left their homeland and established their new homeland in places such as the United States, or Australia. The spelling of surnames may have also changed due to dialectal differences associated with the language spoken by the immigrants.
Famous people with the name Reißel
- Andreas Reissel, a German alpine skier who competed in five Winter Olympic Games
- Franz Reissel, a German athlete who competed in 1950 World All-Round Speed Skating Championships
- Werner Reissel, a German cross-country skier who competed in five Winter Olympic Games
- Juliana Reissel, a Brazilian table tennis player
- Karl Reissel, a German mathematician and physicist who developed the first gas turbine engine
- Philip Reissel, an Austrian physician and professor of medicine
- Susanne Reissel, a German short track speed skater who competed in three Winter Olympic Games
- Emanuel Reissel, a German educator and philosopher
- Wolfgang Reissel, a German politician
- Wilhelm Reissel, a German doctor and medical scientist