Surname Meusel - Meaning and Origin

Unwrapping The Meusel Ancestry: iGENEA DNA Test Reveals Intriguing European Origins and Possible Celtic Connections

The results from my iGENEA DNA test reveal a fascinating tale of ancestry, linking the surname Meusel to a rich past rooted deeply in Western and Eastern Europe. With primary findings suggesting early farming roots in the haplogroup R-M269 to evidence of potential Celtic connections, the Meusel lineage carries a tale of migration, cultural intersection, and history.

P. Meusel

Meusel: What does the surname Meusel mean?

The last name Meusel is of German origin and is a topographic surname for someone who lived by an ash tree. This surname dates back to the Middle Ages in Germany and is derived from the German word “mausel,” which means ash tree. The medieval version of this name is usually found as “Musel.”

The Meusel surname first appeared in the Surname Atlas, published in 1884. This is a compilation of German surnames and the areas of Germany where they are found. In this publication, Meusel was mentioned in many German states including Bavaria, Hamburg, and Prussia.

Though the exact origins of the Meusel surname are unknown, it is believed to have derived from the Germanic personal name “Muesel.” This name was borne by a legendary hero of the Alemantic tribe, who was later associated with the late 4th-century Roman Emperor Maxentius.

The Meusel coat of arms is composed of an ox holding a plow and a shield displaying a silver crest. The coat of arms symbolizes strength and hard work and is thought to signify the families’ agricultural roots and their connection to the land.

Today, the surname Meusel is still found throughout Germany. People bearing this surname can be found spread across the world, though the largest concentration of Meusels is still in Germany. Common Meusel descendants in the US include Rudy Meusel, a professional baseball player with the New York Yankees, and Bob Meusel, an American Football tackle who played in the NFL for 14 years.

Meusel: Where does the name Meusel come from?

The last name Meusel is most common today in Germany, where originates from. It is also found in other countries in Europe, especially in Central and Eastern Europe where many German emigrants have settled, such as Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. There is also a small presence of Meusels in the United States.

The name Meusel is derived from the word 'mussel', which literally means 'territory'. It's believed that the family was named after an area in the Rhineland, where the Meusel family lived prior to emigrating.

In the US, the most common variants of the Meusel name are 'Moosel' and 'Music'. The distribution of Meusel families in the US is widespread and typically follows the shape of the mid-western states. Texas is known to be home to the most prominent families with the surname Meusel.

Today, the Meusel name denoters a strong sense of family identity that dates back to the original German settlers. It's a name that places emphasis on loyalty and belonging, which ties in perfectly with the sense of community fostered throughout generations of Meusels.

Variations of the surname Meusel

The surname Meusel is a very common variation of the name Mueller, derived from the German word 'mul', meaning 'miller'. It is generally thought that the name was adopted by someone who worked in a mill, or owned one. Various variants of the name Meusel include Mewsal, Mojsel, Maisel, Misl, Meßel, Messal, Muhsel, Mozel and Mysel.

The spelling of the surname varies from region to region, ranging from the traditional spelling 'Müller' to 'Muller', or even 'Miller'. Consequently, this can lead to a myriad of different surnames with the same origin, such as Müßel, Miesels, Muhls, Miels and Milesell. Additionally, there are also regional variants, such as Mewsel, Müsel or Mewschl, which are found exclusively in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia respectively.

Certain variants of the name are also found in Scandinavia, due to a high number of German immigrants arriving during the 19th Century. These variants include Miös, Missel and Myös. Furthermore, many immigrants to the United States during that same time period adopted the Americanised spelling Mousel.

In short, the surname Meusel, and its various forms and spellings, is dominant throughout the German-speaking world and several other regions where German immigrants settled during the 19th Century. The widespread nature of the various forms of the name makes it a great way to trace one's ancestry to a particular area.

Famous people with the name Meusel

• Robert Meusel: an American baseball left fielder who played in Major League Baseball for 10 seasons.
• Tony Meusel: an American football player that played 8 seasons in the NFL.
• Bob Meusel: an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the New York Yankees of the American League.
• Ed Meusel: a former Major League Baseball left fielder who spent 11 seasons in the majors.
• Tommy Meusel: a professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1915 to 1929.
• Dutch Meusel: an American basketball coach who is best known as the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team from 1953 to 1958.
• Wally Meusel: a former professional baseball player who played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds.
• Jim Meusel: an American professional baseball player who played outfield for nine seasons in the Major Leagues from 1915 to 1923.
• Joe Meusel: a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played 13 seasons from 1915 to 1928, primarily for the New York Yankees.
• Ed “Squirrel” Meusel: a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 13 seasons from 1915 to 1928, primarily for the New York Giants.

Other surnames

Meuse