Surname Gässel - Meaning and Origin
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Gässel: What does the surname Gässel mean?
The last name Gässel (pronounced “gahsel”) is a German name that is derived from the word "Gässlein," which in Middle High German can mean "little alley" or "small path." The name is believed to have originated in the area of Hesse, central Germany, when it was given as a nickname to a person who lived alongside a small path or alley.
In its original German, the name Gässel has several variations including Gässler, Gäsler, and Gäßler. Over time, the name spread with German settlers who immigrated to the United States and elsewhere, particularly during the mid-19th century. The spelling of Gässel can vary, too, with some families opting for Gessel and others Gessle.
Today, Gässel is most commonly found in the United States, where it is ranked for the 12,861st most common surname. Its prevalence is highest in the states of Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
In the areas of central Germany where Gässel is still fairly common, the name is often used to refer to people who are considered dependable, reliable, and hard-working. These characteristics are thought to reflect the traits of the first Gässel -- the person who found a path and created something.
Order DNA origin analysisGässel: Where does the name Gässel come from?
The last name Gässel is most commonly found today in Germany and the surrounding areas, such as Austria, Luxembourg, Poland, and Switzerland. This is likely due to the fact that the original spelling of the name, Gäsel, is of German origin.
The German spelling of Gässel comes from the surname "G whereas in other countries, the name is sometimes spelled Gassle, Gassel, Gass, Gaze, or Gässle. Variations of the name can be found throughout Europe, though primarily in German-speaking regions.
The meaning of the name Gässel is unknown, but some believe that it derives from the German term “schleuse”, which means “lock” in English. It is also possible that it is derived from the Old German word “gisil,” which is a type of courtly position in ancient feudal society.
In terms of population density, the last name Gässel is most heavily concentrated in the north-eastern region of Germany, as well as in parts of Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It is also found in parts of Poland and the Czech Republic.
In the United States, the last name Gässel is not particularly common, though there are a few families living in the country who trace their ancestry back to European countries that have the name. It is not altogether uncommon to find the last name in major urban areas across the United States.
Variations of the surname Gässel
Gässel is a German surname of uncertain origin. It is believed to have derived from a personal name or a topographic name meaning a "divided pond".
Spelling variants of Gässel include Gäsel, Gessel, Gaesel, Gesselle, Geisel, Gesel, Gesell, and Geselle.
Surnames of a similar origin include Gaesslein, Gaessler, Gasper, Gasser, Geeslin, Geesling, Geesman, and Geiselman.
Gässel is also sometimes written as Gäßel, Gäßle, Gäßler, Gaessle, Gaessler, Gässle, Gässler, Gessle, Gessler, Gesslin, Gessling, and Gieseling.
Other related surnames include Gässlein, Gaessler, GeissLER, Geissel, Giesel, Gisel, Gisler, Gissele, Gooisholz, Goos, Goosman, Goosmann, Gosselin, Gosseling, and Gossling.
The English spelling version of Gässel is Gassel.
Gässel is an uncommon but widespread surname in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in other European countries, including France, Poland, and Netherlands.
It is also found in the US, Canada, Argentina, and Australia. In the US, the name typically appears as Gessel, Gessle, or Gassel.
No matter how the surname is spelled, the family still shares the same origin.
Famous people with the name Gässel
- Patrick Gässel, German contemporary artist and sculptor
- Paul Otto Gässel, German World War I ace pilot
- Wilhelm Gässel, East German politician
- Gustav Gässel, German orientalist
- Adelbert Gässel, German composer, piano teacher and conductor
- Joachim Gässel, German research biologist
- Dorothee Gässel, German mezzo-soprano
- Bluem Gässel, German television actor
- Olaf Gässel, German graphic designer
- Henning Gässel, German musicologist
- Wilhelm Gässel, German Protestant theologian
- Frieda Gässel, Swiss national figure skater