Surname Kisel - Meaning and Origin

Kisel: What does the surname Kisel mean?

Kisel is a Slavic surname, derived from kisel, meaning "sour". In the Czech Republic and Slovakia it is often spelled Kysel. It can also be found in Sweden, where it is spelled Kysell, and in Belarus and Ukraine, where it is spelled Kysel.

In many cases, the surname Kisel likely originated from an ancestor who prepared or sold sour food. It could also have originated from an ancestor who had an outwardly sour demeanor, or from someone who lived near a body of water that was saline or brackish enough to be sour.

In many cultures, the sour flavor is associated with strength and persistence, as it is one of the five basic tastes that survive extreme conditions. Many Slavic cultures have an ancient belief that the sour taste is protective and symbolic of the resilience of life, as it often appears in the form of heightened senses and inner strength.

Today, the surname Kisel is still quite common in its native Slavic homelands. It is also found occasionally in German, Austrian, and Hungarian records. It is a reminder of the strength, resilience, and pride that have survived the generations.

Kisel: Where does the name Kisel come from?

The last name Kisel is most commonly found in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Hungary. The surname Kisel and its variants were present in these areas since at least the 17th century. Historical records show that the Kisel name was widespread throughout Russia, with several parishes and villages establishig with it. It was also important in Ukraine, and many Kisel families settled there during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Today, the Kisel surname is most popular in Ukraine, where it is the 97th most common name. In Russia, the surname Kisel is the 467th most popular name, and is also present in Poland (307th most popular), Belarus (992nd most popular), Latvia (558th most popular), Lithuania (963rd most popular) and Hungary (largely considered to be an equivalent spelling of the surname Kissel, which is the 218th most popular surname).

Aside from these European countries, the surname Kisel is also found in the United States. The Ellis Island passenger records of the 19th and 20th centuries show that people with the surname Kisel and its variants emigrated from places such as Russia, Poland, and Lithuania.

Overall, the surname Kisel and its variants can be found in several European and American countries today, though it is most commonly found in Ukraine.

Variations of the surname Kisel

The surname Kisel has varying origins and spellings, with families from multiple countries utilizing different variations for the same name. In the United States the most common spelling is Kiesel, with more than 10,000 individuals currently holding this spellings. Historically, the most common variant of this surname is Kiesl, with more than 47,000 living individuals currently bearing this name.

In Europe, the surname Kisel is most commonly found among families of Central European and Eastern European ancestry. The most common spelling variations include Kissel, Kissell, Kissle, Kissl, Kisselle, Kessel, Kessle, and Kossle. In Germany, Kiese and Kieße are alternative spellings of the original Kisel surname, and in Sweden Kise is an alternative spelling found among families with Swedish ancestry. The surname Kisel is also found in the Ukraine, but there the most common spellings are Kissel and Kyssel.

Accounting for all its various spellings, it is estimated that more than 180,000 people throughout the world carry the surname Kisel. In addition to the main translations and variants mentioned here, there are many other related surnames, such as Kizel, Kiszal, and Kisil, that can also be traced to this original surname. Even with the various spellings, the origin of the surname Kisel remains the same across all nations and cultures – it is a patronymic derived from the given name Kisil.

Famous people with the name Kisel

• Leontina Kisel: Serbian fashion designer and fashion journalist.
• David Kisel: Serbian Soccer player.
• John Kisel: American actor.
• Tomas Kisel: Uruguayan film director and producer.
• Bob Kisel: American college basketball coach.
• Tom Kisel: American singer and guitarist.
• Curt Kisel: American film director.
• Hubert Kisel: Swiss painter.
• Eric Kisel: American printmaker and painter.
• Eduard Kisel: Belarusian professor of mathematics.
• Jimmy Kisel: Canadian ice hockey player.
• Jorge-Juan Kisel: Spanish theologian and priest.
• Ludek Kisel: Czech football player.
• John Kisel: American painter and sculptor.
• Vlatko Kisel: Macedonian professor of history.
• Anci Kisel: American businesswoman and entrepreneur.
• Peter Kisel: Slovak soccer manager and former player.
• Ivan Kisel: Bulgarian actor.
• Kurt Kisel: Austrian radio broadcaster and journalist.
• Nikolay Kisel: Russian poet and writer.

Other surnames

KiseleKiselerKiserKisewetter