Surname Neel - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Unexpected: The Ancestral Journey of the Surname 'Neel' through iGENEA DNA Test

One's name carries an identity, a legacy, and in many cases, a history. Until recently, my surname 'Neel' was just a name to me, carrying no historical or ancestral significance. However, taking the iGENEA DNA test has drastically shifted this perception, tying me to a rich and unexpected lineage, making me view my surname and my overall identity in a whole new light.

K. Neel

Neel: What does the surname Neel mean?

The last name Neel is of French origin and is derived from the personal name "Neel", an old French variant of the given name Nigel. This name could be traced back to the medieval Latin "Nigellus", which means "black". Thus, the surname Neel could be interpreted as "descendant of the black one", possibly referring to a person with dark hair or complexion. However, it's also noteworthy that names may carry different meanings in different cultures and communities. For instance, in other societies, "Neel" could be derived from the term for "blue" in certain languages, representing a symbolic or physical attribute. Historical records show that the surname has been widely used in Europe, particularly in regions like Brittany in France. As with any surname, specific meaning may also have evolved based on lineage and personal family history.

Neel: Where does the name Neel come from?

The last name Neel is common in many countries and regions around the world today. It is found in India, where it is most commonly found, and in other countries with Hindu populations such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The name can also be found in the United States and parts of Europe as descendants of South Asian immigrants settled in those regions. Historically, the last name is derived from a Hindu deity, Nilakantha, who is associated with the kingdom of Mahishmati in modern-day Madhya Pradesh, India. The surname likely originated from the last name Neelkanthi, which was associated with the ruling kings of Mahishmati.

In Europe, the last name Neel can be found mostly in the United Kingdom as a result of British imperialism and the colonization of India, when many British families brought home Indian servants, leading to South Asian immigrants and families settling in the UK. In the United States, the last name can be found in various regions, from the West Coast to the East Coast, but is most commonly found in states with large South Asian populations such as California, New York, Virginia, and New Jersey.

Despite its Hindu origins, the last name Neel has spread to many countries around the world, offering evidence of its strong heritage and lineage, ascribed to the deity Nilakantha.

Variations of the surname Neel

Neel is a surname of several different origins, with many variants and spelling variations. It can vary from language to language, and nation to nation, but generally refers to a “blue,” a “black,” or a “dark-skinned” person.

In Dutch and Flemish, Neel is an archaic form of Neil, a given name derived from the Scottish “Niall.” Some variations of the name include Neele, Neelen/Nellen, and Nealen.

Also in Dutch and Flemish, Neel is an archaic spelling of the given name Neelke, a diminutive of Cornelia or Neeltje. Other spellings include Nelken, Neelkens, Neelkens/Neelinates, and Neeltsen.

In German, Neel is a surname derived from the given name “Neil,” and variations include “Nehl,” “Neall,” “Neell,” “Niel,” and “Nehele.”

Jewish variants of Neel can be found in both German and Eastern European Ashkenazic Jewish surnames, and include “Nielsen,” “Nelow,” “Nuhel,” “Nohel,” and “Nigel.”

In the Czech language, Neel is the same as “Nejdek,” and can be found as “Nejdekan” as well.

In English, Neel is an archaic spelling of “Neil” and “Neal,” and variations include Neale/Neall, Neeles, Neils, and Niels.

No matter what language or culture it comes from, the surname Neel is a common and ancient name. It has many variants and spellings, and its origin is uncertain.

Famous people with the name Neel

• Kenneth Neel is an American television and film actor best known for his role as Tests in the 2008 film Nights in Rodanthe, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane.
• John Neel is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist. He has released a number of solo albums, as well as collaborated on works with Bill Laswell and David Torn, amongst others.
• Rex Neel is an American entertainer best known for his appearances on American television variety shows and his array of musical instruments.
• Anne Neel is an American writer and poet. Neel's writing style has been described as cinematic, capturing a sharp portrait of life in modern times.
• Joseph Neel is an American professional golfer and public figure. As a professional golfer, Neel has won several tournaments, including the 1993 PGA Championship and 1994 U.S. Open.
• Benjamin Neel is a Canadian film director and screenwriter best known for his films Cold Souls, for which he was nominated for the Directors Guild of Canada award for Best Feature Film, and Edwin Boyd, which won the 2013 Genie Award for Best Motion Picture.
• James Neel is an American physicist renowned for his contributions to the areas of control theory, quantum mechanics, and networking. He is also the inventor of the Neel Point Range computer.
• Laura Neel is an American writer and illustrator best known for her popular children's books such as The Little Haberdashery, The Snow Babies, and Once Upon a Time in the Treetops.
• Noah Neel is an American singer and songwriter best known for his popular single "I See Fire".
• Pat Neel is an American blues guitarist who has performed extensively in the Tennessee and Georgia area.

Other surnames

NeebuhrNeedelsNeedlesNeefNeefischerNeelandNeeleNeeleyNeellNeellyNeelsNeelsenNeelssenNeelyNeemannNeemeyerNeermannNeesNeeseNeesemannNeesenNeeserNeessNeeßNeesseNeeßeNeessenNeeßen