The surname Drexel is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the Old High German "drehsala" meaning "turning hall", referring to a defensive structure built on a rotating axis for defense purposes. However, it may also be a metonymic occupational name for a dealer in dried or dyed fish, derived from Middle Dutch "dreschel," which means "fish scales." The Drexel family, one of the most prominent banking families in the United States, originated from Augsburg, Germany. Notable members include Anthony J. Drexel, founder of Drexel & Co., and George W. Drexel, a philanthropist who established the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry, which later became Drexel University.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Drexel
The meaning and origin of the last name Drexel
The surname Drexel is of German origin, specifically from the Rhine region, where it emerged as a topographical name for someone who lived near a small brook or stream known as "Drechsel," meaning "little saw" in Middle High German. Over time, the spelling evolved into Drexel due to changes in pronunciation and scribal errors during record-keeping. The family can be traced back to Medieval Germany, with one of the earliest records dating to 1296 when a certain "Henricus de Dresela" was mentioned in documents from the city of Erfurt. As German migration increased during the Middle Ages and the subsequent centuries, the Drexel name spread throughout Europe and eventually reached America, where it is still common today. The Drexels were among the prominent families that played significant roles in the economic development of colonial Philadelphia, with the notable Drexel family contributing to the growth of banking, finance, and philanthropy in the United States.
Geographical distribution of the last name Drexel
The surname Drexel is predominantly distributed in Western Europe, particularly in Germany, where it originates from the region around Cologne and Düsseldorf. It also has significant presence in Switzerland, Austria, France, and the Netherlands. In North America, the last name Drexel is most common in the United States, with a concentration along the eastern seaboard, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey due to German immigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. In addition, there are families bearing the name Drexel in England and Ireland as a result of historic trading relationships between Europe and these countries. The name also has a minor presence in other parts of the world where European colonization occurred, such as Australia, South Africa, and Brazil.
Variants and spellings of the last name Drexel
The surname Drexel has multiple variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration from different languages or dialects over time. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Drexel: This is the standard English spelling of the name. It originates from a German family name, "Der Schrezel" or "Das Schrezel," which means the little drier or the dresser.
2. Dreckel: A variation in some German dialects, it retains the original root but with a slight spelling change due to pronunciation differences.
3. Drechsel: This is another variant that reflects the evolution of the name from its original German form over time, and is also found among German-speaking populations.
4. Dresel: Occasionally, you may come across this spelling, which represents an anglicized version of the original German surname.
5. Deckel: This variation appears in some regions of Germany and is a result of phonetic changes over time. It's pronounced similar to Drexel but with a different spelling.
Famous people with the last name Drexel
The Drexel family is notable for having several distinguished members in various fields across history. Jacob Drexel, a German-American banker, was one of the founders of J.P. Morgan & Co and played a significant role in financing the Union during the American Civil War. His son, Anthony Joseph Drexel, was an investment banker who co-founded Drexel, Morgan & Co., which later became J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Pauline Goldsmith Drexel, a socialite and art patron, was known for her lavish lifestyle and significant art collection. Moreover, Jamie Gorelick, born Jamie Sue Drexel, is a renowned American lawyer who served as Deputy Secretary of Defense during the Clinton administration. Lastly, Samuel Merrick Drexel, a mathematician, made contributions to the theory of algebraic curves and number fields. These individuals demonstrate the diverse accomplishments of the Drexel family across different professions and eras.
Genealogical research on the last name Drexel
The Drexel surname is of German origin, predominantly found in the Rhineland region. The earliest known Drexel ancestor was Conradus de Tresel, who lived in the late 12th century. The name is believed to have derived from the Old High German "dreihsl" or "treisel," meaning "truss of three." Over time, it evolved into various forms such as Drechsel, Driesel, and Dreesel in Germany.
The Drexels emigrated to France and Switzerland during the Middle Ages, where they became influential figures. One notable family branch settled in Strasbourg, France, where they served as merchants, bankers, and diplomats. The most famous among them was Leonhard Drechsel, who played a crucial role in the establishment of the University of Strasbourg in the 16th century.
The Drexel family later immigrated to the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming prominent in business, politics, and philanthropy. Notable American Drexels include Anthony J. Drexel, who founded the banking firm of Drexel & Co., and his descendants, the wealthy philanthropists, the Drexel heirs. The name has also been prominent in European royalty through connections with the House of Hanover, as well as in other notable European families such as the Schwarzenbergs and the Khevenhüllers.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
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