The surname RIESEL originated in Germany, likely emerging in the 14th or 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the German word "rieseln," meaning "to trickle" or "to flow," suggesting a connection to a location near a stream or river. The name may have been initially used as a descriptive surname, referring to someone who lived near a trickling or flowing body of water.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the RIESEL name can be found in the Kirchenbücher (church records) from the 16th century in the regions of Saxony and Brandenburg. These records often documented births, marriages, and deaths within local communities, providing valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of surnames in that era.

The RIESEL surname appears to have been concentrated in certain areas of Germany, particularly in the states of Saxony and Brandenburg. Some of the earliest known bearers of the name include Johann RIESEL, born in 1568 in the town of Wittenberg, and Hans RIESEL, a merchant from Berlin who was recorded in the city's tax records in 1632.

In the 17th century, the RIESEL name can be found in various historical documents, such as land records and court proceedings. For instance, a farmer named Georg RIESEL was mentioned in a land dispute case in the town of Grimma, Saxony, in 1671. This suggests that the RIESEL family had established a presence in rural areas and might have been involved in agricultural pursuits.

One notable bearer of the RIESEL surname was Johann Georg RIESEL, a German theologian and philosopher born in 1688 in Saxony. He studied at the University of Leipzig and later became a professor of theology at the University of Jena. His works on metaphysics and philosophy of religion were widely recognized during his time.

Another prominent figure with the RIESEL surname was Friedrich Wilhelm RIESEL, a German composer and musician born in 1785 in Berlin. He composed several operas and instrumental works and served as the music director at the Berlin Court Theatre for several years in the early 19th century.

In the 19th century, the RIESEL name gained further recognition with individuals like Karl RIESEL, a German industrialist from Saxony who established a successful textile manufacturing company in the city of Leipzig in the 1860s. Additionally, Hermann RIESEL, born in 1867 in Brandenburg, was a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in Berlin during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

While the RIESEL surname has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, its origins and early history can be traced back to the regions of Saxony and Brandenburg, where it was closely associated with the local geography and occupations of its bearers.