Show ContentsKeisling Surname History

The name Keisling has a history dating as far back as the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a person who behaved in an imperious manner or it may have also referred to someone who played the part of an emperor in a pageant or play. Keisling is derived from the German word kaiser, which means emperor. This was originally derived from the German word keiser, which in turn came from the Old German word keisar; these both were derived from the Latin imperial title Caesar, which was originally a family name. The most famous members of this family are the great Roman general and statesman Julius Caesar and his adopted son Augustus Caesar, who was the first Roman Emperor. The German title Kaiser was used by the Holy Roman Emperors from Otto I, who ascended the throne in 962 to Francis II, who relinquished the title in 1806. The surname Keisling was often brought to England by German settlers, many of whom were imported as laborers following the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early Origins of the Keisling family

The surname Keisling was first found in Oxfordshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Keisling family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keisling research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1195, 1273, 1663, 1670 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Keisling History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keisling Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Keisling have been found, including Kaiser, Kaeser, Kaser, Keiser, Keaser, Kesser, Keysar, Keyser, Cayser and many more.

Early Notables of the Keisling family

More information is included under the topic Early Keisling Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Keisling family to Ireland

Some of the Keisling family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Keisling migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Keisling, or a variant listed above:

Keisling Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • George Keisling, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1766 1
  • Jacob Keisling, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1766 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Keisling (post 1700) +

  • Phil Keisling (b. 1955), American politician, Member of Oregon State House of Representatives, 1989-91; Secretary of State of Oregon, 1991- 2


  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 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook