Surname Muschalla - Meaning and Origin
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Muschalla: What does the surname Muschalla mean?
The last name Muschalla is German and is derived from the Middle High German word müscel, which means “mouse-like”. The name itself most likely arose as an occupational name for someone who dealt with mice, such as a hunter or trapper, as well as an indicator of a physical characteristic.
The Muschallas, who are believed to have originated from the Silesian-Lusatian area at the beginning of the 16th century, left behind sparse records of their lives in the early medieval period. As a result, relatively little is known of the family’s history other than a few mentions in local records.
The Muschallas appear to have not embraced their surname until after the beginning of the modern era. The name was gradually adopted by different branches of the family, but there is no single origin.
Today, the Muschalla surname is dispersed throughout the world and is most likely linked to emigration from Europe. It is common among Americans, Canadians and those of German heritage.
The Muschallas have generally become well assimilated wherever they have settled. Those with the surname have often gone on to become successful in their respective professions. This reflects the family’s willingness to embrace change while staying true to their German roots.
Order DNA origin analysisMuschalla: Where does the name Muschalla come from?
The last name Muschalla is most commonly found in Germany today. The name is derived from the Middle High German words 'Muschel', meaning 'mussel' and 'Ahe', meaning 'water'. In historic records, it is most commonly found in the Rhineland area of Germany.
Today, the name is found the most in the southwestern and northern regions of Germany, particularly in the states of Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia. According to a 2019 study of the name in Germany, there are more than 26,000 people with the surname across the country.
The name Muschalla can also be found in other parts of Europe, especially in Poland and Austria. There are also smaller populations in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In America, the greatest population of Muschallas resides in the state of Pennsylvania.
In addition, Muschalla is sometimes found as a variant spelling or form. Variant spellings may include Moschalla, Mutschalla, Muskalla, and Mutschala. Some of these alternatives are more prevalent in different countries than others. For example, the Bulgarian and Polish versions are used especially in those regions, while the German form is the most common of all.
Overall, the last name Muschalla can be found in many countries across the world, but its most frequent concentration is in Germany today.
Variations of the surname Muschalla
The surname Muschalla has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Although this name is quite uncommon, it can be found in various forms throughout Europe. Some examples include:
Muschalle, Muschallee, Mushalla, Mushalle, Musschalle, Musschallee, and Musshalla.
In Germany, the name is derived from the Middle High German given name Mutschwan, a diminutive of the name Mutsch. Other variants of the name found in Germany include Mutschall and Mutsch. Mutsch is thought to be derived from an old German word meaning “guardian” or “protector.”
In Poland, the name is derived from the Polish word maszal, which means “miracle worker.” Variants of this name can be found in Poland as: Maszal, Maszale, Maszalek, Muszal, Muszale, and Muszalek.
In Austria, the name is derived from the Middle High German muschel, which means “shell.” Variants of this name can be found in Austria as: Musschl, Muschl, and Musschel.
In Spain, the name is derived from the Old Spanish word moschel, which means “shield.” Variants of this name can be found in Spain as: Mosche, Moschel, Musche, and Muschel.
Finally, It also appears in Swedish records as Måscha but is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word Moscha, which means “palm.”
Altogether, the surname Muschalla is found in numerous forms in Europe, all with a similar meaning associated with guardianship or protection, and all probably derived from the same ancient set of roots.
Famous people with the name Muschalla
- Lauren Muschalla: Professional dancer, performer, and instructor from the US who specializes in lyrical and contemporary styles.
- Kalle Muschalla: German footballer who plays as a defender for Dynamo Dresden.
- Wes Muschalla: Professional stuntman and precision driver featured in commercials, movies, television series, television clips, and music videos.
- Becky Muschalla: Senior Judge Advocate (lawyer) in the U.S. Navy.
- Steve Muschalla: Retired professional baseball player who primarily played for the Oakland Athletics and the Boston Red Sox.
- Mick Muschalla: Former NFL running back who played for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers in the 1990s.
- Tricia Muschalla: World-famous makeup artist who has created looks for celebrities and companies such as Madonna, Armani, and Ralph Lauren.
- Shannon Muschalla: Professional singer and songwriter from the US.
- Erick Muschalla: Former NCAA Division I basketball player and current head coach of the Nebraska Wesleyan University men's team.
- Martin Muschalla: German-born jazz musician, producer, and author who has released more than a dozen albums and wrote several books on jazz.