Surname Kessler - Meaning and Origin

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L. Kessler

Kessler: What does the surname Kessler mean?

The last name Kessler originates from German-speaking regions and is an occupational surname. It essentially means "coppersmith" or "barrel maker" when translated directly. The name derives from the Middle High German word "këzzelære", which is a term for someone who made a specific kind of large cask, or "kezzel". People who had this job were thus called "Kessler". It can be considered equivalent to the English surname "Cooper", which also refers to a barrel maker. However, the name can also be related to other occupations associated with metal crafting, hence its translation as "coppersmith". Like many occupational surnames, it was likely first given to individuals who pursued these professions. Eventually, it became a family surname passed down through generations. Remember that surnames can often suggest geographical origins, occupations, or be based on a parent's name, and Kessler falls in the category of occupational surnames.

Kessler: Where does the name Kessler come from?

The surname Kessler primarily originates from Germany. The term 'Kessler' is derived from the Middle High German term 'kezzel,' which means a kettle or a large pot. It was primarily an occupational name for a maker of large copper vessels or brass kettles, pertained to coppersmiths or metal-workers in the Middle Ages. The name spread widely across Europe, particularly in Jewish Ashkenazi communities, with the diaspora and evolution in languages, adopting slightly different forms such as Kesselman in Poland, Kisel in Russia, or Kesler in Lithuania.

Today, the surname is still most common in German-speaking countries like Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. It has also spread worldwide primarily due to German emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries. The name is commonly found in the United States, primarily in the states with a significant population of German-descendant like Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. The alternate form of "Kesler" is also moderately common in Israel due to the Ashkenazi Jewish presence. Nonetheless, the majority of people with the surname Kessler are likely to have German roots.

Variations of the surname Kessler

The surname Kessler has Jewish (Ashkenazic) roots and is an occupational name for a barrel maker or a cooper. Alternative variants of the same name include Keßler, which sports an Eszett or "sharp S." Other variants include Kesler, Kesseler, Kesslar, Kessell, Kessel, and Kassler.

The name might also have been anglicized or changed upon emigration, with further variations such as Kesler or even Cashler appearing. It can also possibly be denoted with a double "s", as in Kesseler or Kessler.

Moreover, the surname originated from different regions could have different spellings or forms. For example, in Russian, it may be spelled as Кесслер.

In terms of etymological origin, Kessler is a cognate of the English surname "Cooper," both of which refer to the occupation of barrel-making. In Dutch or Yiddish, its equivalent would be Kübler or Küper, and in Danish, it is Kjær. Cognates in other languages include French Tonnelier, Italian Bottai, and Spanish Cubero. These all reflect the same trade and could therefore be considered variations of the surname in a broader sense.

Famous people with the name Kessler

• David Kessler: An American pediatrician, lawyer, author, and administrator who was commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 1990 to 1997.
• Alfred Kessler: An English conductor and musician famous during the late 19th and the early 20th centuries.
• Andrew Kessler: A writer and entrepreneur known for his debut novel "Martian Summer: Robot Arms, Cowboy Spacemen, and My 90 Days with the Phoenix Mars Mission."
• Clyde Kessler: A famous biologist, poet, and artist known for his work in nature conservation in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
• Daniele Kessler: A member of the British band called "Placebo".
• Ellen Kessler and Alice Kessler: These German twins were famous singers, dancers, and actresses collectively known as the Kessler Twins in the 1950's and 60's.
• Ron Kessler: An American journalist and author renowned for his 20 non-fiction books about the U.S Secret Service, FBI, and CIA.
• Gerda Weissmann Klein & Kurt Klein: Holocaust survivors and humanitarians; Gerda is the author of "All But My Life" and Kurt is known for liberating Gerda in 1945.
• Jessica Kessler: German actress known for her role in the TV show “Unter Uns”.
• Max Kessler: An actor who achieved fame after appearing in the movie “The Do-over”.

Other surnames

KesslKesslring