Surname Preisl - Meaning and Origin
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Preisl: What does the surname Preisl mean?
The last name Preisl is an occupational surname derived from German, with the meaning of thorough or prompt. The surname likely refers to someone who held the position of a pruvisor, which was a German financial administrator.
Pruvisors were important figures in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period as they mediated between local lords and the communities they ruled. They were responsible for collecting taxes, managing the lord’s accounts, and adjudicating disputes between the lord and his subjects.
Given these responsibilities, pruvisors tended to be held in high esteem. They were professional men and often held a degree in canon or civil law, so they were expected to be both ethical and knowledgeable. Pruvisors would also work closely with the local clergy since they were expected to draw up mortgages and other documents for the lord.
Due to their responsibilities and roles, it is easy to see why someone with the surname Preisl likely had a high standing in the community. Also, the meaning of “prompt” and “thorough” was an indication of their efficiency and diligence in performing their duties.
In short, Preisl is an occupational surname that refers to an important figure in the history of German society. This occupation was one that necessitated wisdom, efficiency, and ethical behaviour, and took a special knowledge and skill-set.
Order DNA origin analysisPreisl: Where does the name Preisl come from?
The last name Preisl is most commonly seen in Germany and Austria today. It is a Germanic surname derived from the Old Germanic personal name "Prehisla" which means "valuable one." The original spelling of this name, Prehisla, can still be found in Germany and Austria today, especially in the Bavarian regions.
Since the beginning of immigration to the United States in the 1600s, the spelling of many Germanic last names have changed. As a result, the spelling of Preisl now appears in the United States as Preis, Preisler, Price, Preiss, and Pryzl. Although the spelling may have changed, those with the last name Preisl in the United States are most likely descendants of someone who originated from Germany or Austria.
The Preisl surname is still an incredibly popular last name in Germany and Austria, and was listed as being in the top 500 last names in the Austro-Bavarian Telefonbuch of 1998. It is also the 36th most common surname throughout all of Germany. It is believed that there are thousands of other Preisls throughout Europe that remained in their native countries due to the lack of immigration.
Since the spelling of the surname may have changed over the years, anyone with the last name Preisl or a variation thereof, can trace their ancestry back to Germany or Austria.
Variations of the surname Preisl
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Preisl include Preil, Priel, Preilz, Preils, Preiss, Preise, Preisser, Preisler, Preissl, Preisling, Preissmann, Preissner, Preisz, Prietz and Preysl.
The root of these names is the Germanic personal name Prisi. The original form of the surname was 'Preyssler' or 'Pretzel, and the surname could have evolved from the pastry. Another theory is that these names are derived from the German word 'preis', meaning 'price' or 'reward', suggesting a professional occupation relating to compensation or wages.
The Preisl name is multi-regional in origin, being found in documents dating back to the 13th century across multiple areas in Germany. One record of a Preisl family is from Singen in 1639. The name then spread throughout Germany, along with other European countries, particularly Austria and Switzerland. By the mid-19th century Preisl could be found in Russia, having been forcibly relocated by Prussian officials.
Immigration records show that many Preisl families settled in the United States and Canada during the 19th and 20th centuries. The largest concentrations of Preisls in the US were found in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and New York. Additionally, the records show a large number of Preisls also arrived in South America, particularly in Argentina and Brazil.
Overall, the surname Preisl is part of a group of surnames that all share the same origin in the personal name Prisi. Variations of the name have naturally developed throughout Germany over time as part of family migrations and cultural influences.
Famous people with the name Preisl
- Franz Preisl (1868–1957), a German-Austrian architect, urban planner and publicist
- Robert Preisl (active 2019–present), a Romanian singer
- Doris Preisl (born 1953), a German cross-country skier
- August Preisl (1868–1952), an Austrian botanist and plant physiologist
- Henry Walter Preis (1881–1943), a German artist, illustrator, and publisher
- Ina Preiß (born 1983), a German curler
- Lothar Preiß (born 1942), a German painter, sculptor, and graphic artist
- Anna Preis (1928–2012), an Austrian painter
- Berthold Preis (1895–1980), a German mineralogist
- Robert Preiß (born 1966), a German ice hockey player