Show ContentsGessel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Gessel family

The surname Gessel was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in Gelderland, (Guelders) an ancient province surrounding the town of Gelder. To the south of Friesland this province was originally in two parts north and south of the Rhine. In addition, the province is sub-divided into four towns, or quarters, Nijmegan, Arnhem, Zutphen and Roermond, each having unique rights and customs. Apeldoorn is a city of note. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Gessel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gessel research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1745 and 1865 are included under the topic Early Gessel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gessel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gessel, Gesseler, Gessler, Gesril, Gestel, Gestele, Gestelen, Jessel, Jestell and many more.

Early Notables of the Gessel family

From this era of Dutch history, those of this who distinguished themselves included

  • the Gessel family of Guelders

Migration of the Gessel family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: those recorded from the mid 17th century onward in the great migration from Europe to the New World.


Contemporary Notables of the name Gessel (post 1700) +

  • Van C. Gessel (b. 1950), American academic, former Dean of the BYU College of Humanities at Brigham Young University
  • Jack Gessel, American politician, Mayor of St. Albans, West Virginia, 1999 1
  • Sander Branko van Gessel (b. 1976), Dutch footballer


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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