Surname Keßels - Meaning and Origin
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Keßels: What does the surname Keßels mean?
The surname Keßels (or Kessels) is a toponymic surname derived from the German word "Kessel," which means "cauldron." It is thought to have originated in the region where the Rhine river flowed near the city of Köln (Cologne).
This last name likely served to identify individuals living close to a particular cauldron or kettle, and soon began being used as a family name. Eventually, the name was adopted by other people in other parts of Germany and other European countries.
The surname has gained some popularity due to the various historical reasons. It was common among the Jewish population in Germany and Eastern Europe during the 19th century, as it was often adopted by those escaping persecution and seeking refuge. It also became popular in American states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania during the late 1800s - early 1900s, when millions of European immigrants arrived.
Keßels has been found in various places around the world and there have been several notable people with this name, such as the German sports shooter Adelheid Kessels, American military officer Robert A. Kessels, Dutch football legend Peter Kessels, and Austrian physiologist Berthold Kessels.
The surname Keßels reflects the unique history of its origins, and its continued presence in different parts of the world speaks to its capability of adaptation and change.
Order DNA origin analysisKeßels: Where does the name Keßels come from?
The last name Keßels is most commonly found in Germany. Many people with the Keßels name can be found throughout the country, as well as in nearby countries like Poland, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Other areas where people with the name Keßels are found include the United States, Canada, and France.
The name Keßels originated from the Middle-High German word kezzele, which means "small barrel". This likely stems from the profession of coppersmithing that was traditionally practiced by those who adopted the name Keßels.
The earliest written record of an individual with the name Keßels dates back to the 16th century. The earliest record is in a document from Regensburg, Germany, referring to a person by the name of Johannes Keßliners. It's believed that the name evolved into Keßels as the family moved around and adapted to different areas.
Today, the most common place in Germany where people with the Keßels last name live is in North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state in Germany. The state's capital, Düsseldorf, is the home of the largest concentration of Keßels people. The second most-populous city for Keßels is Bielefeld.
The number of people named Keßels in Germany has been steadily declining. This is likely because most members of a family have adopted a more modern version of the name, such as Kessels. Nonetheless, Keßels remains an enduring surname in Germany and in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Keßels
The surname Keßels is of Germanic origin and is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Kessel, which was derived from the Latin cesellum, meaning a "small container". Variants of this surname include Kessels, Käßels, Kaessels, Kaesels, Kässels, Käßels, Kessels, Küssels, Küßels, and Küßels. Other possible spellings include Kessles, Kessel, Kesels, Kaesles, Käsle, Kiesels, Kiesles, Kissles, Kügels, and Küggels. The surname might also appear as Keßel, Kesselmann, Kesselmeier, Kesselmayer, Kesseler, Kesselhut and Kesselbäumer.
It is important to note that a number of surnames may be derived from the same root, such as Kesler, Keesler, Koesler, Koester, Kesberman and Kesterman. Kuessel and Kussler might also originate from Keßels.
Keßels might also be short forms of a variety of nicknames or occupational names, such as Kesselberger (meaning "barrel maker") or Kesselschmied (meaning "barrelsmith"). Other possible variants include Kesselschmiter, Kesselschläger, Kesselhacker, Kesselschlacht, Kesselgut, Kesselring, Kesselhofer, and Kesselbauer.
Finally, some variants of the surname Keßels might be found in various parts of the world. For example, the rare Kesselschmiter might be found in Austria and Germany, while the family name Kesselberger is more commonly found in the United States. Likewise, families with the surname Kesselhofer might be more common in Australia.
Famous people with the name Keßels
- Charles Keßels, Belgian artist.
- Romain Keßels, Belgian footballer.
- Ralf Keßels, German professional soccer player.
- Tom Keßels, German author and journalist.
- Martin Keßels, German actor.
- Christoph Keßels, Belgian actor.
- John Keßels, Dutch painter.
- Larry Keßels, former All-American Girls Professional Baseball player.
- Norman Keßels, German amateur racing driver.
- Manfred Keßels, German pianist and composer.
- Paul Keßels, American composer.
- Raoul Keßels, Belgian cartoonist and caricaturist.
- Richard Keßels, Dutch architect.
- Peter Keßels, Austrian politicican.
- Arno Keßels, German actor and theatre manager.
- Kurt Keßels, Swiss football defender.
- Hans Keßels, German bobsled racer.
- Christoph Keßels, former professional tennis player.
- Heinz Keßels, German footballer.
- Marcus Keßels, German hockey player.