A Written Essay by Johannes Soukup, Ingolstadt, Bavaria.

Name research up to now could not show, whether the prototype of the village name (Lower) Weisel, mentioned for the first time in the year 772 in the Lorsch codex and possibly originating from the first settler "WIZELE", could be related somehow with the later surname "Weisel". More likely it is assumed, that "Weisel" is the basis for the Middle High German "Wisel", which meant the idea of a leader or chief.

Weisel as a surname appears in the home area first isolated in medieval documents and juridical registers, which do not yet allow explanations of kinship relations. Centuries later, in entries of preserved parish registers and community clearing documents the Weisels are mentioned more often and in some cases relations can be recognized.

In the juridical register of Melbach on August 2, 1492 the following entry is found: "Elschen Keller and her children Lyss and Petze appoint Paul Weiszel in several properties."

As shooting master of the year 1555 a Gerhard Weiszel is mentioned in the annals of the Friedberg shooting society. In the year 1610 an Adam Weiszel was Lord Mayor in Dorheim. On January 7, 1619 a Johann Weisel swore the homage oath in Friedberg. In a citizen list of the year 1650 a Gilbert Weysel lived in Bettenhausen. In the Gambach bid book (tax register) of the year 1717 an out-citizen (foreign landowner) named Jacob Weysel is found, whose origin could not be made clear.

Up to our days Weisel kinships exist in Butzbach, Lich, Muenzenberg, Eberstadt, Langsdorf, Bettenhausen, Muschenheim, Birklar and possibly in other Wetterau villages. By (even though incomplete and unclear) entries in the mentioned parish or community registers of these villages and towns since the 17th century series of generations Generations can be made evident.

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