Kessler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Kessler is a metonymic surname; it is derived from the principle object associated with the occupation of the original holder. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the German word "kezzel," which in turn comes from the Old German word "kezzil," which means "kettle" or "cauldron."

Early Origins of the Kessler family

The surname Kessler was first found in Hessen and the Rhineland, where the family became noted for its many branches within the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was sought by the princes of the region. Chronicles first mention Erbo Kesseler of Strasbourg in 1261, and Hans Kesseler of Breslau, Silesia, in 1384.

Early History of the Kessler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kessler research. Another 171 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1317, 1571, 1765 and 1803 are included under the topic Early Kessler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kessler Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kessler, Kessller, Kesler, Kesller, Kesseler, Kesseller, Keseler, Keseller, Kaessler, Kaesler, Kaeseler, Kaesseler, Cessler, Cessller, Cesler, Cesller, Cesseler, Cesseller, Ceseler, Ceseller, Caessler, Caesler, Caeseler and many more.

Early Notables of the Kessler family

Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Kessler were

Joseph Melchior Kessler, the mayor of Feldkirch, who was ennobled in 1803 with the predicate "von Fuerstentreu...

Kessler Ranking

In the United States, the name Kessler is the 1,201^st most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Kessler is ranked the 3,118^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 2

Kessler migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kessler Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johannes Kessler, who arrived in New York City between 1709-10
Maria and Nicol Kessler, who arrived in New York between 1709-10
Frans Niklaas Kessler, who arrived in New York in 1709 3
Johann Kessler, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1709 3
Johannes Kessler, who landed in New York, NY in 1710 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kessler Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Catharina Kessler, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1804 3
Andreas Kessler, aged 42, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1805 3
Joseph Kessler, who landed in Ohio in 1824 3
Karl Kessler, who arrived in North America in 1827 3
Philip Baltzer Kessler, who landed in Maryland in 1828 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kessler (post 1700) +

Bruce Kessler (1936-2024), American racing driver and film and television director
Gladys Kessler (1938-2023), American jurist, Senior United States district judge of the District Court for the District of Columbia (2007-2023)
Major-General Alfred August Jr. Kessler (1898-1956), American Commanding General 4th Air Force (1952-1955) 4
David Kessler (b. 1951), American commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration in 1990, appointed by President George Bush and reappointed again in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, and in 1997 he became dean of the Yale University School of Medicine
Karl G Kessler (1919-1997), American physicist and president of the Optical Society of America
Glenn Kessler (b. 1970), American screenwriter and television producer
Private First Class Patrick L Kessler (1922-1944), American Army soldier awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944
Bob Kessler, American politician, Candidate in primary for Mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, 2001 5
August Kessler, American politician, Representative from New York 19th District, 1888 5
Antony Kessler, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Missouri, 1884 5
... (Another 31 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Kessler family +

RMS Lusitania

Mr. George A. Kessler, American 1st Class Passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping in a collapsible 6

Triangle Waist Company

Miss Beckie Kessler (b. 1892), Russian Jewish garment worker who was working at Triangle Waist Company factory at the Asch building in Greenwich Village on the 25th March 1911 when fire broke out; she died in the fire 7

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 30) Alfred Kessler. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Kessler/Alfred_August_Jr./USA.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (retrieved on 3rd August 2021.) Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Shirtwaist_Factory_fire