The Troxell surname is a derivative spelling of Drachsel, Troksell, Troxel, and Traxell to name a few. Like most American surnames, the spelling varies widely. It seems that it was usually recorded by people such as census takers and court clerks who simply spelled it like it was pronounced.
The Troxell clan originated in Switzerland, eventually emigrating to western Germany. Between the years 1700 and 1750 over 70,000 people emigrated to America from Germany. This great wave of people leaving this region of Europe was the result of many, many years of war, famine, disease, and severe winters. England aided in transporting these people both for political and humanitarian reasons.
Our Troxell line comes through Peter Troxell, who emigrated to America on the ship "Samuel" of London in 1733 under the command of Hugh Persy, Master from Rotterdam. Peter and his family are included in the passenger list of "Palatines, 89 males above 16, 86 females, 54 males under 16, 62 females under 16 --- in all, 291". Among those on the ship's manifest appeared the names "Peter Drachsel, above 16, Peter and Daniel Drachsel, under 16". Upon landing at Philadelphia, PA, on August 17, 1733 (four years earlier than his brother John), Peter and his family proceeded a short ways north-west to Egypt in upper Lehigh County, in the township of Whitehall. This is just north of what is now Allentown, PA.
Little is known of Peter and his family during their stay here. The Egypt Reformed Church, founded in 1734, carried records referring to Peter as a Censor in 1736 and as a Deacon in 1737. Peter and Juliana had a number of children of which eight are recorded. Except for Peter Jr. and Daniel, who emigrated with their parents, all the children were born and baptized in Egypt. Peter Sr.'s name appears in the church records at Egypt until 1744.
There remains a strong Troxell presence throughout eastern Pennsylvania to this day. There is a city named "Drexel Hill" near Philly, a "Troxelville" and Troxelville Rd (Hwy 4018) in the east-central part of the state. In the Allentown area, there is a Trexler Nature Preserve, and a town just to the west named Trexlertown. In Allentown there is Troxell Street, Troxel Elementary, and most importantly, the Troxell-Steckel House in Egypt.
The primary Troxell line that I have researched eventually emigrated south through Maryland, Virginia, into eastern Tennessee. After a brief time, most appears to have moved on into Kentucky and beyond.