Show ContentsKessel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Kessel family

The surname Kessel was first found in Bavaria, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Kessel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kessel research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1582, 1610, 1642, 1650, 1682, 1698, 1725 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Kessel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kessel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kessel, Kessell, Kesell, Kesel, Kessle, van Kessel and many more.

Early Notables of the Kessel family

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kessel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kessel Ranking

In the United States, the name Kessel is the 9,676th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Kessel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kessel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hans Kessel, aged 17, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
  • Geo Kessel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1767 2
Kessel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Kessel, (b. 1814), aged 26, English miner departing from England aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 21st April 1840 3
  • Mr. Josiah Kessel, (b. 1817), aged 23, English miner departing from England aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 21st April 1840 3
  • Mr. William Kessel, (b. 1810), aged 32, Cornish miner departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Triton" arriving in the United States on 11 May 1842 3
  • Mrs. Catherine Kessel, (b. 1812), aged 30, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Triton" arriving in the United States on 11 May 1842 3
  • Mr. William Kessel, (b. 1832), aged 10, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Triton" arriving in the United States on 11 May 1842 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Kessel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Kessel, (b. 1880), aged 20, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 18th February 1900 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 4
  • Mr. William Kessel, (b. 1879), aged 21, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 18th February 1900 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 4
  • Mr. William Henry Kessel, (b. 1874), aged 30, Cornish stonemason, from Penryn, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd July 1904 1904 en route to New York, USA 4
  • Mr. Albert James Kessel, (b. 1874), aged 30, Cornish stonemason, from Penryn, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd July 1904 en route to New York, USA 4

Australia Kessel migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kessel Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Kessel, (b. 1823), aged 26, Cornish labourer from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK departing from Plymouth on 21st September 1848 aboard the ship "Lysander" arriving in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 13th January 1849 5
  • Mrs. Sabina Kessel, (b. 1825), aged 24, Cornish housekeeper from St. Austell, Cornwall, UK departing from Plymouth on 21st September 1848 aboard the ship "Lysander" arriving in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 13th January 1849 5
  • John Kessel, aged 19, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Rodney" 6

New Zealand Kessel migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kessel Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Edith Kessel, (b. 1867), aged 7, Cornish settler departing on 27th June 1874 aboard the ship "Christian McAusland" going to Bluff or Otago, New Zealand arriving in port on 30th September 1874 7
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Kessel, (b. 1841), aged 33, Cornish settler departing on 27th June 1874 aboard the ship "Christian McAusland" going to Bluff or Otago, New Zealand arriving in port on 30th September 1874 7
  • Miss Elizabeth A Kessel, (b. 1869), aged 5, Cornish settler departing on 27th June 1874 aboard the ship "Christian McAusland" going to Bluff or Otago, New Zealand arriving in port on 30th September 1874 7
  • Mr. Jonathan Henry Kessel, (b. 1859), aged 15, Cornish settler departing on 27th June 1874 aboard the ship "Christian McAusland" going to Bluff or Otago, New Zealand arriving in port on 30th September 1874 7
  • Miss Mary Kessel, (b. 1864), aged 10, Cornish settler departing on 27th June 1874 aboard the ship "Christian McAusland" going to Bluff or Otago, New Zealand arriving in port on 30th September 1874 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kessel (post 1700) +

  • Philip Joseph Kessel Jr. (b. 1987), American professional NHL ice hockey forward who has played for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Arizona Coyotes and the Vegas Golden Knights
  • John Kessel (b. 1950), American science fiction and fantasy author
  • Barney Kessel (1923-2004), American jazz guitarist perhaps best known as a member of the group of session musicians known as The Wrecking Crew
  • Oliver Dennis Kessel (1901-1992), American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State Senate 4th District, 1938; Chair of Jackson County Republican Party, 1942-50 8
  • Joseph William Kessel (b. 1925), American Republican politician, Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; school teacher; Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Mineral County, 1955-60 8
  • John F. Kessel (b. 1890), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Saginaw County 1st District, 1937-38 8
  • Archie Kessel, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for California, 1972 8
  • Jean-Jacques Kessel, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 9
  • Loris Kessel (b. 1950), Swiss racing driver


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  4. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  5. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
  6. South Australian Register Wednesday 21st February 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Rodney 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/rodney1855.shtml
  7. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
  8. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  9. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, March 25) Jean-Jacques Kessel. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html


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