Show ContentsKessell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Kessell family

The surname Kessell 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 Kessell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kessell 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 Kessell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kessell Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Kessell family

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


United States Kessell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kessell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Christina Margaret Kessell, who settled in Philadelphia in 1729
  • Anna Barbara Kessell, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729 [1]
  • Christiani Margaret Kessell, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1729 [1]
Kessell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Kessell, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from Penzance, in 1897
Kessell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Alfred Kessell, (b. 1878), aged 22, Cornish miner, from St Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd February 1900 en route to Butte, Montana, USA [2]
  • Jeannie Kessell, aged 30, who landed in America from St. Dennis, England, in 1908
  • F. Viola Kessell, aged 3, who landed in America from St. Dennis, England, in 1908
  • Geraldine Kessell, aged 4, who immigrated to America from St. Dennis, England, in 1908
  • Gregany Kessell, aged 7, who landed in America from Winderchleya, Germany, in 1909
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Kessell migration to Australia +

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

Kessell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Kessell, (b. 1830), aged 24, Cornish mason departing from Plymouth on 7th September 1854 aboard the ship "Violet" arriving in Portland, Victoria, Australia on 14th December 1854 [3]
  • Mrs. Mary Kessell, (b. 1834), aged 20, Cornish settler departing from Plymouth on 7th September 1854 aboard the ship "Violet" arriving in Portland, Victoria, Australia on 14th December 1854 [3]
  • Mr. Kessell, (b. 1854), aged Infant, Cornish settler born aboard the ship "Violet" arriving in Portland, Victoria, Australia on 14th December 1854 [3]
  • Miss Ann Kessell, (b. 1822), aged 33, Cornish farm servant, from Mabe, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Rajastan" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 11th January 1855 [4]
  • Mr. John Kessell, (b. 1867), aged 18, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Bulimba" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 5th November 1885 [5]

Contemporary Notables of the name Kessell (post 1700) +

  • James C. Kessell, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Dunbar, West Virginia, 1953-54 (acting, 1953-54) [6]
  • George Kessell, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Iowa, 1924 [6]
  • Mary M Kessell (1914-1977), British figurative painter, illustrator, designer and war artist
  • Simone Kessell (b. 1975), New Zealand actress, best known for Frost/Nixon (2008), Burning Man (2011) and Liquid Bridge (2003)
  • Richard John "Rick" Kessell (b. 1949), Canadian former professional NHL ice hockey centre from Toronto


  1. 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)
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  3. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
  4. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1850_59.pdf
  5. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook