Submitted NameRevisions Save Type Surname (from location) Usage German Edit Status Status [show contributorshide contributors] Added 1/16/2016 by anonymous Edited 3/26/2016 by Marusero Meaning & History Topographic name for someone who lived in a place where thistles grew, from German Distel "thistle" (see Distel) and -er, suffix denoting an inhabitant.