Last Name Roisel

The surname Roisel is of French origin. It is derived from various place names found in France, such as Rosières-en-Santerre, Rosières-en-Houlme, and Rosières-aux-Salines. These places have their roots in Old French, where "rosières" meant a place covered with rose bushes or roses. Over time, the name Roisel may have been used as a topographic surname to identify someone who lived near such a location or as an occupational surname for someone who worked with roses, such as a perfume maker or gardener.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Roisel

The meaning and origin of the last name Roisel

The surname Roisel is a French name derived from various geographical locations or occupational titles. One possible origin is from the town Rosières-en-Santerre in Somme, France. Another possibility is that it stems from an occupation related to roses, such as a rose grower or a maker of rose-decorated items, as "rosier" means 'rosebush' in French. The name may also have originated from the Old French personal name Roscelin, which was composed of the elements "ros," meaning 'rose,' and "celin," a diminutive form of names beginning with "cele" or "cel," such as Celestin or Clement. Throughout history, spelling variations of this surname include Roisel, Roussel, Rosel, Rouzel, and others, due to changes in language and transliteration over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Roisel

The surname Roisel is predominantly found in France, with a significant concentration in the region of Picardy, particularly in the departments of Aisne and Oise. This surname is associated with the town of Rozoy-sur-Serre in Aisne, suggesting that many bearers of this name may have originated from there. In addition, small populations carrying the name Roisel can also be found in other parts of France, as well as in Quebec, Canada, where it is believed to have been brought by French immigrants. Beyond these regions, occurrences of the name are relatively rare, although it can be found sporadically in countries with a history of French influence such as Belgium and Switzerland.

Variants and spellings of the last name Roisel

The surname Roisel has several variations and spelling formats across different regions and time periods. Some of these include:

1. Roisel - The standard French form of the name.
2. Roiseau, Royseau, Royseaulx - These are alternate French forms.
3. Reisel - A possible variation that could have originated from German or Dutch immigrants to France.
4. Royzell, Rayzel, Rozell, Rosell - Anglicized forms of the name for English speakers.
5. Reysel, Rayzel, Rozelle, Rosal - Other Anglicized variants.
6. De Roisel, Le Roisel - Addition of prepositions to the French form.
7. Von Roisel - A Germanic prefix indicating nobility, if adopted by German or Dutch immigrants.

Famous people with the last name Roisel

Notable individuals with the surname Roisel include:

1. Émile Roisel (1864-1933), a French Impressionist painter known for his landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, who exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1887 until 1930.
2. Henri Roisel (1873-1933), a French sculptor and medallist, who was a student of Jules Dalou and Auguste Rodin. He created several important public monuments in France and the United States.
3. Albert Roisel (1885-1962), a French composer, conductor, pianist, and music critic. He was a member of the Société Nationale de Musique and contributed to various music publications.
4. Jean-François Roisel (born 1970), a French politician who has served as a Member of the European Parliament since 2019, representing La République En Marche! and The Greens-European Free Alliance group.

Genealogical research on the last name Roisel

The surname Roisel originates from France and is associated with various regions including Picardy and Normandy. One notable early reference of the name can be found in the "Cartulaire de l'Abbaye du Bec" from the 12th century, where a certain Robert de Risoio is mentioned. Over the centuries, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have evolved, with variations such as Roizel, Roiseau, and Roiselle found in historical records. The Roisels were primarily farmers, artisans, and soldiers during the medieval period. Notable descendants include Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Roisel, a 19th-century French painter, and Marcel Roisel, a contemporary musician from Canada. In recent times, the Roisel family has been found in various parts of Europe, North America, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "roisel"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
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.
Last updated : 30 July 2025

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