Show ContentsEssen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Essen family

The surname Essen was first found in Hessen, where the name was closely identified in the early period of history with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout Europe. The name would later emerge as an influential noble family, having many distinguished branches, and well known for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Essen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Essen research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1745, 1818, 1833, 1838, 1847, 1869 and 1872 are included under the topic Early Essen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Essen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Essen, Essendorf, Essendorffer, Essenius, Esser, Esserden, Essellen and many more.

Early Notables of the Essen family

Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Essen were Heinrich Esser, born at Mannheim 1818, appointed concert-meister 1838, and then musical director in the court-theatre at Mannheim; was for some years conductor of the 'Liedertafel' at Mayence, and in 1847 succeeded O. Nicolai as Capellmeister of the Imperial Opera, Vienna, where he was honoured as an artist...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Essen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Essen migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Essen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Essen, who settled in Philadelphia in 1811
  • Catharina Essen, who settled in New York, NY in 1849
  • Nartin Huber Essen, who arrived in New York, NY in 1849
  • Catharina Essen, aged 21, who landed in New York, NY in 1849 1
  • Nartin Huber Essen, aged 30, who arrived in New York, NY in 1849 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Essen (post 1700) +

  • Viola Essen (1917-1961), American born of Romanian parents, rose to beceom a noted dramatic actor
  • Frederick Essen (1863-1946), American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Missouri, 1912; U.S. Representative from Missouri 10th District, 1918-19 2
  • David C Van Essen Ph.D., American Edison Professor of Neurobiology and head of the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Washington University School of Medicine
  • Louis Van Den Essen, American politician, Representative from New York 2nd District, 1982 3
  • William J. Van Essen, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, 1922, 1922, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1952; Candidate for U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 35th District, 1926 4
  • Louis Essen (1908-1997), English physicist, most famous for determining the precise measurement of time and the speed of light


  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. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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