The Kruessler, Crysler, Chrysler Name
VARIOUS SPELLINGS OF THE NAME:
Kreisler, Krisler, Crisler, Greisler, Crysler, Chrysler, Creisler, KreiBler (Kreissler), Krysler, Kreussler, Kreusler, Krauseler, and Kreysler.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME KRUESSLER, CRYSLER, AND CHRYSLER:
The name is first found in Switzerland, where the name gained a significance reputation for its contributions to Medieval society. The German family Kruessler is classified as being of occupational origin. Kreussler is a derivative of the Middle High German kriuseler meaning "veil." or "a weaver of veils." The name could also have originated from the Middle High German krauBle meaning "curly hair." Other research shows a Count Kruessler in Austria. One early German reference to the name is in 1648: a Maria Kreusler, daughter of Michael Kreusler, was born in Kratzbach near Schomberg. Other early Kreuslers were Sophia Kreusler, daughter of Wilhelm and Anna ? is registered in the Liebfrauen church in Koblenz in 1686; and Maria Anna Kreusler, daughter of Melchior and Anna ? was christened in Buhlertann in Wurttemburg in 1724. There was a Ignaz Kreusler (1728-1780) who was a Jesuit theologian, and Christian Wilhelm Kreusler (1738-1786) another theologian.
Chrysler is listed as an "Americanized spelling of Kreisler," in Eldons C. Smith's New Dictionary of American Family Names.
Kreisler means one who made utensils of earthenware; a potter; one who produced and sold groats; and one who had curly hair (Smith, 288).
Kreuser means one who had curly hair (Smith, 288).
Franz Kreisler (1875-1962) was an Austrian-born American violinist born in Vienna. He studied medicine and became an Uhlan Officer (a lancer). He composed violin pieves, a string quartet, and an operetta. His most well-known is Apple Blossoms (1818) which was a Broadway success. He became an American citizen in 1943 (Larousse, 841).
Ignasz Kreusler (1728-1780) was a Jesuit theologian and Christian Wilhelm Kruesler (1728-1786) was a theologian.
Gorg Chryseler and John Philip Chryselar were naturalized in New York in 1715. Leonhart Kristler lived in Philadelphia, Pennsyvania between the years 1738-1739. H. Chrysler and Edna? arrived in New York in 1854. A Joseph Kreisler lived in Illinois in 1852.
Remember that hereditary surnames were not in use until the middle of the twelfth century, so the tracing of this name back to before this time would not be an easy task, especially since the spellings are not consistant.
My research is related to the Crysler spelling of the name. My branch of the Cryslers were loyal to the American cause during the Revolutionary War against the English. The Chrysler (auto baron's) branch were Loyalists. The addition of the "H" was to distinguish themselves from those who stayed in the United States. This was not the way with other families, however, as many kept the Crysler spelling on both sides of the border. Like the Civil War, the Revolutionary War divided families. Blood relatives were suddenly enemies.
Sources:
Etymologisches Wortwebach der DeutschenFamillennanamen
Researched and compiled by Margaret Odrowaz-Sypniewska, B.F.A.
Armorial General Rietstap
Dictionnaire Etymoligique des Famille et Prenoms de France,
General Index zu den Seibmacher schen Wappenbucher 1605-1967.
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