Surname Cassel - Meaning and Origin
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Cassel: What does the surname Cassel mean?
The surname Cassel is of German origin and is a habitational name for someone who comes from any of the various places called Cassel, mainly in the Rhineland and Hesse in Germany. The place name is derived from the Latin word "castellum" meaning "fortress" or "castle". Thus, the surname can be interpreted to mean "one who lives near or comes from the castle." It is also found as a Jewish (Ashkenazi) surname in some families, where it may be a variant of the name Kassel. As with many surnames, there may be more than one family line carrying the Cassel name with different origins.
Order DNA origin analysisCassel: Where does the name Cassel come from?
The surname Cassel is of Anglo-Saxon origin, believed to originate from a place name in ancient Britain before it became a family name. It's thought to have been derived from the Old Norse word, "kastali," which means "castle." The name could have been assigned to someone living near a castle or a worker in a castle.
In other instances, the surname Cassel may also be of French or German origin. In French, "Cassel" is a town in northern France and several families could have taken this as their surname. Similarly, in Germany, Cassel is a variant spelling of Kassel, a city in central Germany, and people from this location could have adopted this name.
Today, the surname is common in many English-speaking countries like the United States, UK, Canada, and Australia. It can also be found in French and German-speaking countries, like France and Germany. The variations in spelling like Cassell or Kassel are common too. Prominent people with this surname include French actor Vincent Cassel and American actor Seymour Cassel.
Variations of the surname Cassel
The surname Cassel has different spelling variations and may be derived from various origins. Variations of the surname include Castle, Castell, Kassel, Casteel, Castele, Castels, Castelle, Castles, and Castelles.
Similarly derived are the surnames Caddel, Saddel, or Carrel, which are related phonetically. Additionally, the surname can be transformed into Cashell or Cashill, the former being Irish.
The surname Cassel can be Ashkenazic Jewish, deriving from the city named Kassel in Germany. In the Middle Ages, it became a popular Jewish surname. Alternatively, it can be of German or English origin, representing a person who came from Cassel in France or Kassel in Germany, or lived in a castle.
In the Anglo-Saxon context, the surname Cassell may also originate from the Old Norman French "castel", which means "castle". During the Norman Conquest, this term was introduced to Britain and used both for people living in a castle or operating one.
Moreover, similar surnames like Kasselmann, Kassal, Kassler, Kassell, Kazlauskas also share a similar root and are globally found. It is also common to find the surnames with additional letters as in Cassells or Casselman indicating son of a man from Cassel.
It is fundamental to note that the surname variations might have evolved over centuries due to migration, regional dialects, and phonetic spelling.
Famous people with the name Cassel
- Vincent Cassel: A famous French actor known for his roles in films such as "Black Swan", "La Haine," and "Ocean’s Twelve."
- Seymour Cassel: An American actor who appeared in over 200 movies and television shows including "Rushmore," "The Royal Tenenbaums," and "Indecent Proposal."
- Jean-Pierre Cassel: A popular French actor and the father of Vincent Cassel. He starred in several classic French films such as "The Crimson Rivers."
- Monica Bellucci: She is technically not a Cassel by birth but was married to Vincent Cassel from 1999 to 2013. Bellucci is an Italian actress and fashion model known for her roles in films like "The Matrix Reloaded," "The Passion of the Christ," and "Spectre."
- Matt Cassel: An American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for several teams including New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Dallas Cowboys.
- Casey Cassel: An American actor, known for his roles in "Stuck in the Middle" (2016) and "Just Roll With It" (2019).
- Deborah Kara Unger: Ex-wife of Vincent Cassel and a famous Canadian actress known for her roles in films like "Crash" and "The Game."