Esel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Scotland

Etymology of Esel

What does the name Esel mean?

The name Esel is most likely an occupational name. The Teutonic tribes spoke Old Saxon, an early form of Low-German, and they used the words "esil-herdi" (donkey herder) to refer to the persons who reared donkeys for Cavalry support. Another source notes the name could be from the Middle High German esel, 'donkey' + the agent suffix -er. 1

Early Origins of the Esel family

The surname Esel was first found in the ancient region of Saxony, and the Teutonic tribes, who inhabited the Elbe and Wesser valleys. Saxony was originally the name of a territory in the north-west of Germany, that also contained the duchies of Westphalia and Brunswick until the 12th and 13th centuries.

Some of the family branched to Nuremberg in Bavaria and others fled to Ireland and Scotland due to religious persecution. The Irish branch which settled mostly in County Antrim mostly arrived at about the time of the Plantation of Ulster and took advantage of the land offer at that time having been brought by Protestant refugees from Catholic states in Germany. 1

Early History of the Esel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Esel research. Another 32 words (2 lines of text) covering the year 1339 is included under the topic Early Esel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Esel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Esolherde, Eseler, Esler and others.

Early Notables of the Esel family

Heinrich Eselherz who was listed at Wetzlar in 13391...

Esel migration to the United States +

Esel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

George Esel, aged 18, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Norweigen Echo" in 1852 2
Elizabeth Esel, aged 8, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Amship London" in 1852 2
Nicholas Esel, aged 1, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Amship London" in 1852 2
Nicholas Esel, aged 44, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Amship London" in 1852 2
Mathias Esel, aged 2, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Amship London" in 1852 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Esel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Thomas Esel, aged 34, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Vaderland" in 1903 2
Meische Esel, aged 22, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Columbia" in 1906 2
Chana Esel, aged 19, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Columbia" in 1906 2
Katharina Esel, aged 18, Austria settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "President Grant" in 1912 2

Sources +

Bahlow, Hans, Dictionary of German Names. translated by Edda Gentry, Wisconsin: The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-924119-35-7)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result