Surname Schüssel - Meaning and Origin
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Schüssel: What does the surname Schüssel mean?
The last name Schüssel (or Schuessel) is of German origin. It is thought to have come from the Middle High German word "schuslo" which means bowl or dish. This name is thought to have originated as an occupational name for a potter who made dishes or bowls.
The association of the name Schüssel and the pottery-making profession is still seen with the Middle High German spelling of names. Varimations of the name in contemporary German include Schüssler, Schussler, Schussling and Schusslin.
For many centuries, a person's last name was typically linked to their job or profession. People with the last name Schüssel most likely had a profession involving pottery-making. It has been said that a bearer of the name Schüssel was also an experienced metal smith, and their pots were made for special use in the kitchen or elsewhere in the home.
Schüssel can also be interpreted as meaning “dish”. Depending on the culture, it could refer to a variety of receptacles, from plates and platters to bowls and cups. In certain cases, it could even refer to a vessel used for carrying liquids.
Whichever interpretation is used the name Schüssel has a long and varied history. It likely evolved alongside the changing needs of German society as the craft of pottery-making developed over time. From the profession of the potter to the vessel or dish that was crafted, Schüssel holds a unique place in the history of Germany’s family name origins.
Order DNA origin analysisSchüssel: Where does the name Schüssel come from?
The last name Schüssel is a German name which is still most commonly found in Germany today. It is particularly common in the nation's southeastern states such as Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saxony. Schüssel is also popular in neighboring Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Poland.
Though fairly popular throughout these areas in Europe, some people with the last name Schüssel now live all over the world. People with this name settled in many parts of North and South America during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The name is especially common in areas of Canada which once had large populations of German-speaking immigrants, such as Ontario.
The name Schüssel derives from an old German word meaning 'bowl' or 'dish.' This is why some places across Europe still include the word 'Schüssel' in the names of popular restaurants, pubs, and cafes.
The surname consistently ranks among the 1000 most-common surnames in Germany, which is an indication of just how widely it is distributed. Those with the last name Schüssel often come from families with strong cultural ties to their German or Central European heritage.
Variations of the surname Schüssel
Schüssel (or Schuessel) is a German surname with many possible variants and spellings. The most common variations of the surname are Schussel, Schuessel, Schuessler, Schusseler, Schuesseler, Schueseler, Schuessle, Schussler, Schuesser, and Schassele. The common spelling of the surname in the United States and Canada is Schussel, while in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Scandinavia, it is usually spelled Schüssel or Schuessel.
Other variants include Schuessl, Schössl, Schussler, and Schössle. All of these variations bear the same "Schüssel" origin, derived from the Old German word schussel, which meant “vessel” or “container” and likely referred to a person who makes or crafts objects from containers or vessels.
Variations of the name Schüssel are also found among Ashkenazi Jews, and those of Jewish descent. Common spellings among Jewish families include Shassel, Shasselle, and Shussel. These variations are likely derived from the same German word as the original spelling, but were altered due to the limitations of the Yiddish language.
Variations of the surname Schüssel are also found in non-German speaking countries, mainly in the English-speaking countries of Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States. Common spellings found there include Shasselle, Shusselle, Shussel, Schusseler, and Schusselle. All of these variations of the original surname, Schüssel, are derived from the same German word and likely refer to a person who makes or crafts containers, vessels, or objects out of them.
Famous people with the name Schüssel
- Wolfgang Schüssel: Former Austrian Chancellor and leader of the Austrian People's Party
- Theodor Schüssel: former German diplomat
- Susanne Schüssel: German figure skater
- Lorenz Schüssel: Austrian cross-country skier
- Andreas Schüssel: Austrian novelist
- Ursula Von der Leyen Schüssel: current President of the European Commission
- Peter Schüssel: Music director and conductor
- Jörg Schüssel: former German footballer
- Siegfried Schüssel: German rower
- Johannes Schüssel: German motorcyclist
- Marc Schüssel: German volleyball player
- Steffen Schüssel: German diver
- Michael Schüssel: German slalom canoer
- Peter Schüssel Junior: German racing driver
- Julia Schüssel: German figure skater
- Andrea Schüssel: German bob sleigh racer
- Robert Schüssel: German middle-distance runner
- Ralf Schüssel: German alpine skier
- Johannes Schüssel: Austrian world champion skier
- Gretel Schüssel: Austrian ice hockey goalkeeper