Find out how popular the last name DeSell is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named DeSell.

DeSell, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the DeSell surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of DeSell in America

DeSell is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeSell surname appeared 100 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname DeSell.

The history of the last name DeSell

The surname Desell is believed to have its origins in Europe, possibly tracing back to regions in modern-day France or Germany. The earliest records suggest that the surname emerged during the medieval period, specifically around the 12th or 13th centuries. This was a time when surnames were starting to be adopted in Europe as a means of identifying individuals beyond their given names.

The name Desell might derive from older Germanic or Latin roots, which were common influences on European surnames during this era. The German prefix "De" suggests a potential link to French or Flemish origins, where "De" was often used as an indicator of nobility or ownership of land. The root "sell" could relate to the old German word "sel," meaning "dwelling" or "habitation," suggesting that the name might originally describe someone who hailed from a particular homestead or place.

Historical records or manuscripts mentioning the surname Desell are scarce, but certain documents from the late medieval period do provide some clues. While the surname does not appear in widely known documents like the Domesday Book, it might be found in lesser-known local registers or guild records in regions where the name was prevalent. For example, tax records from the 14th century in parts of France and Germany do list surnames resembling Desell.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Desell can be traced back to an individual named Johann Desell, documented as a landowner in the Alsace region around 1365. His descendants are believed to have spread out to nearby areas, including parts of Switzerland and Northern Italy, by the late 15th century. This spread suggests a migration that might have been motivated by economic opportunities or religious conflicts that were common during those times.

By the 16th century, another notable individual with the surname was Michel Desell, born in 1532, who was a merchant in the trade-rich city of Lyon, France. His business dealings were documented in various city records, highlighting his significance in the local economy and further establishing the presence of the surname.

Moving forward to the early 18th century, Pierre Desell, born in 1709, is recorded as a member of the French military, serving during the War of Austrian Succession. His military records from 1742 show his involvement in several key battles, marking the Desell name in the historical military archives of France.

In the 19th century, one prominent individual was Marie Desell, born in 1821, who became known for her contributions to the early feminist movements in France. Her writings and activism are preserved in several historical journals and documents from that era, highlighting her influence and further embedding the surname in historical records.

Another figure of interest is Franz Desell, born in 1875, an accomplished musician and composer from Bavaria. His compositions were well received during his lifetime, and several of his works are maintained in the national archives of Germany. Franz's contribution to music provides a cultural footprint for the Desell surname.

The surname Desell, while not the most widely known, has a rich history that traces its roots through various European regions and historical events, marking its presence from the medieval era to more modern times through various notable individuals.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeSell

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname DeSell.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for DeSell was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name DeSell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of DeSell, please contact us.

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