Surname Jessel - Meaning and Origin

Jessel: What does the surname Jessel mean?

Jessel is a surname of Jewish Ashkenazi origin. It's derived from the Hebrew personal name 'Yisrael' (Israel), which translates to "God contended" or "God has striven" in English. This name was given to Jacob (one of the forefathers of the Jewish nation, according to Biblical tradition) after he wrestled with an angel. The name has been transformed through various spellings over time and across different cultures. Some believe it also might be a patronymic surname derived from the Yiddish name ‘Yesse’, which is itself derived from Jehoshua or Joshua. As with many Jewish surnames, Jessel might have been adopted during the period when the Austro-Hungarian Empire mandated the use of surnames. Today, individuals with the last name Jessel can be found all around the world, particularly in Europe and North America. Despite its varied origins, the name Jessel essentially pertains to a connection with God or a sacred struggle.

Jessel: Where does the name Jessel come from?

The surname Jessel originates from the Jewish Ashkenazic community in Central Europe. It's derived from the Yiddish personal name "Yessele," which is a pet form of "Yitskhok" or "Yeast," equivalent to the name Isaac.

One of the earliest accounts of the name can be traced back to Subert Jessel, who was mentioned in a census dated 1379 in Yorkshire, England. Some Jewish emigrants likely introduced the surname to England from mainland Europe during migratory movements.

Despite its Jewish origins, the name Jessel isn't highly concentrated in any particular region today. However, some online surname dictionaries suggest that it is most common in the United States, followed by England and Germany. Notably, it is not very prevalent in any of these countries and remains fairly rare around the world.

Famous individuals named Jessel include Sir George Jessel, a renowned 19th-century British jurist, and George Jessel, a 20th-century American actor, singer, and songwriter. Despite these high-profile bearers, the name Jessel has not seen significant proliferation and remains relatively uncommon globally.

Variations of the surname Jessel

The surname Jessel is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It's not a common surname, which makes direct variants less prevalent. However, related names could include Yessel, which may have influenced the spelling Jessel. There are also instances where the surname has been spelled as Jessell or Jessele.

Moreover, depending on geographic location and local language dialects, there could be different interpretations and hence spellings of the name. In Germany, for instance, the surname could potentially have variations such as Jässel or Jessl.

The surname Jessel may also be related to Jessen, an equally uncommon surname of similar origins, and to Jesel, Jezel, Jassel, or Gessel.

Regarding surnames of the same origin, being of Jewish roots, names such as Cohen, Levy, and Rosenberg share similar geographical and cultural origins.

Regarding lineage, understanding that surnames in Ashkenazi Jewish tradition typically come from occupations, personal traits, or patrilineal descent, it’s hard to correlate the surname Jessel to specific professions or characteristics. However, names with suffix -el often indicate God’s involvement, which illustrates the strong religious heritage of the name.

Famous people with the name Jessel

• George Jessel: George Jessel was a comedian, singer, songwriter, and actor. He was part of "The Jazz Singer," the 1927 movie that is often credited as being the first feature-length film to include speaking roles.
• Alan Jessel: Alan Jessel was a British concert pianist, music teacher and conductor. He is known as one of the great pioneers of British piano-playing, forming a link between European musical traditions and the contemporary classical music scene.
• Bruce Jessel: Bruce Jessel is an American composer, arranger, and music producer. He has worked with several acts including Michael Jackson, The Beach Boys, and Whitney Houston and has composed the themes for television shows such as "Cheers" and "Frasier."
• Lee Jessel: Lee Jessel is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He is the creator of the series "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and has written for television shows such as "Seinfeld" and "Friends."
• Debra Jessel: Debra Jessel is an American entrepreneur and independent consultant in the medical technology field. She has made contributions to nursing informatics, medical devices, and EHRs.
• Benjamin Jessel: Benjamin Jessel was a British politician. He served as Liberal Party Member of Parliament for the Harborough division of Leicestershire from 1885 to 1895.
• Mark Jessel: Mark Jessel is an American radio host and DJ. He is best known for his nationally syndicated morning radio show, The Mark and Brian Show.
• Harriet Jessel: Harriet Jessel was an English poet, novelist, and children's writer. She wrote over 30 books, including a series about a young brownie named Tib-Tiby.

Other surnames

JesseJesseeJesseitJessemanJessen