Meisels History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Meisels

What does the name Meisels mean?

The German surname Meisels, and its variants are of occupational origin, belonging to the category of surnames derived from the trade or profession pursued by the initial bearer. In this case, the name is derived from the Middle High German word "meizel" meaning "chisel", a derivative of the verb "meizen" meaning "to chop or cut". Thus the name indicates "one who used a chisel in his daily word, a wood or stone cutter". Alternatively, the name also denotes "one who made and sold chisels".

Early Origins of the Meisels family

The surname Meisels was first found in Austria, where the family was anciently associated with the political and religious conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region.

The Meisel family (also spelt Meisels and Meizels) is a distinguished Bohemian rabbinic family originally from Prague, who descend from Yitskhak Eizik Meisels (b. 1425), a paternal 10th generation descendant of the Exilarch, Mar Ukba.

Early History of the Meisels family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meisels research. Another 178 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1775, 1807 and 1853 are included under the topic Early Meisels History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meisels Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Meisel, Misel, Meissel, Meissl, Meisl, Misl, Maisel, Meysel, Maysel, Maysl, Meysl, Meyssel and many more.

Early Notables of the Meisels family

Ernst Adolph von Meissel, who served as Lord Chamberlain to the Queen of Sweden. Karl Meisl (1775-1853) was a Viennese playwrite with a talent for parody, who is reputed to have written...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Meisels Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Meisels family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jacob Meysel, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1752. Peter Meisel landed in Philadelphia in 1782; as did John Misel in 1848; Casper Maisel in 1858; and John Henry Meisel in 1860.

Contemporary Notables of the name Meisels (post 1700) +

Samuel J. Meisels (b. 1945), American early childhood expert on assessment and child development, President of Erikson Institute
Elazar Meisels, American Orthodox rabbi
Dow Ber Meisels (1798-1870), Chief Rabbi of Kraków
Tamar Meisels, Professor of Government and Policy in the Department of Political Science at Tel Aviv University