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(1) A message from Darmstadt, Germany addressed to George Diehl (translation courtesy of Gerhard Mutz):
The name of Diehl is very common here. It can be traced back etymologically to the Teutonic first names "Dietrich or Dietmar." As is the case with all surnames, Dietrich or Dietmar was used simultaneously in many locations. Family names -- such as yours: Diehl -- have origins that developed differently and independently. The first authentic mention in Frankfurt am Main for "Diehl" is 1350. Since family names originated no sooner than the 13th Century, the ones you mentioned (Julius Diel, Nobles von Diehl, Noble Wolfgang von Diehl) are at best dubious.
In the "Gotha" inventory of aristocratic families in Germany, the name Diehl does not appear. But the first names Dietrich and Dietmar with all of their many derivations (Diel, Thyl, Dilemann, Tielman, etc.) are quite common among the aristocracy. They were supplemented by the region the family governed: Heinrich von Hessen, Dietrich von Bern, for instance. Unfortunately, many chronicles of families were produced, especially at the end of the 19th Century, that contain more fiction than truth.
Since Philip [Phillip: See coat of arms in Epilogue II.] Karl Diehl and Carl Diehl were members of the Senate in Frankfurt am Main, may I suggest you formally write a letter to the following address: Familienkundliche Gesellschaft für Nassau und Frankfurt e.V., Moosbacher Strasse 55 (Hauptstaatsarchiv), D - 65187 Wiesbaden. We do not have any records of Frankfurt am Main.
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