Schuessel

Schuessel, frequently rendered as Schüssel in German, is a German-language surname. The Anglicized variant Schuessel is common in English-language texts that do not use the umlaut. The root word Schüssel means "bowl" or "dish" in German, and the surname likely originated as a descriptive or occupational name, possibly referring to a maker, seller, or user of bowls, or to a place associated with such items.

Notable bearers: The most prominent is Wolfgang Schüssel, an Austrian politician born in 1945, who served as Chancellor of Austria from 2000 to 2007 and led the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). His government formed a coalition with the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in 2000, a move that drew international criticism and led to sanctions from some EU members. He stepped down after the 2007 elections, with Alfred Gusenbauer of the Social Democratic Party succeeding him. Schüssel's tenure influenced debates on Austria's role in Europe and domestic reform policies.

Other uses: The surname Schüssel is primarily found as a family name. In German, Schüssel also denotes the common kitchen bowl; outside German-speaking contexts, the spelling Schuessel is used to approximate the umlauted form. The name may appear in historical records, news reports, and genealogical contexts, but is most widely recognized in connection with Wolfgang Schüssel.