Surname Neischwander - Meaning and Origin
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Neischwander: What does the surname Neischwander mean?
The last name Neischwander is of Germanic origin and is derived from the words “neider” and “wanderer.” The literal translation of the name means “lower wanderer,” likely in reference to a journey or route taken by a person or group of people. This is an apt description of the surnames early bearers, who were likely medieval travelers, tradesmen, merchants, soldiers or explorers.
The name itself seems to have originated in the Rhineland region of Germany, spreading slowly east and west over time. Its popularity among various European countries is a testament to the successful activities of its early bearers.
In modern times, the name Neischwander is found throughout Central Europe, as well as in parts of the United States. In record databases and public records, the last name is typically spelt Neischwander, but variations such as Neischvander, Neischvandor, and Neischvanders can also be found.
Given its origins, the name is likely to carry a connotation of bravery, courage and enterprise. It is also associated with strength, self-reliance and an adventurous spirit, all apt assumptions about its early bearers. A reminder of a bygone era, the name Neischwander is a reflection of the hardworking and pioneering nature of its original users.
Order DNA origin analysisNeischwander: Where does the name Neischwander come from?
The last name Neischwander is most commonly found in the United States, with a few occurrences in other countries. The vast majority of individuals with this surname are concentrated around Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. This region is known as the Midwest Hub for Swiss-German Families, indicating that this last name likely originated amongst the Swiss-German immigrants who settled in the Midwest in the early- to mid-1800s.
The area was originally a popular destination for Swiss-Germans due to the large number of farms and the abundance of land. It is likely that many immigrants decided to adopt the name Neischwander in order to better fit in with their new home. Today, individuals with this last name continue to live in this area and can be found in the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.
The name Neischwander is also common in other countries such as Canada, Germany, Switzerland and South Africa. This suggests that individuals with this surname have likely left the Midwest and traveled throughout the world, especially over the past century and a half. As a result, the name can be found around the world, though it remains much more prominent in the Midwest region of the United States.
Variations of the surname Neischwander
The surname Neischwander is derived from the Swiss- German language and originates from the present day canton of Zurich. It may be spelled in multiple ways including Neschwander, Neschwandner, Nischwandner, Nischwender, Nischwandinger, Nischwander and Niechwonder. Other variants like Nyschwandere, Nesschwandere, and Nichwanderer may also occur.
The surname was originally derived from the name of a place, usually of a mountain or hill near a village or large town, and the name of the person who lived there. This suggests that when the family migrated from Switzerland to other countries, this surname adopted various spellings as it was transliterated into other languages.
The Neschwanders of today can trace their ancestry back to Switzerland and the famous Neischwander family of Zurich and possibly earlier. Among their descendants can be found members of the 'Neschwander Society' in Indiana, USA who are known to have settled in America in the mid-1800s.
The Neischwander name is also commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The Neischwander surname is still strongly associated with Swiss heritage, but can also be found rooted in many other countries today.
The combination of various spellings of the name plus its geographical dispersal has created many different variations of the Neischwander surname. Nischwanders, Nyschwanderers, Nyschwanders, Niechwonders, Nischwandts and Neischwandrs are all common modern versions of the Neischwander surname.
Famous people with the name Neischwander
- Tom Neischwander: Tom is an artist and outdoor enthusiast who creates wildlife and landscape paintings in oils and watercolors. He has been featured in various publications and has been involved in several demonstrations and instructional workshops.
- David Neischwander: David is a former professional baseball player who played two seasons in Minor League Baseball for the Colorado Rockies and California Angels.
- Rachel Neischwander: Rachel is a software engineer and co-founder of the dev shop No Bounds Design. She has been awarded Google Women Techmakers' 2020 Emerging Leader and is the lead contributor to open source Software projects.
- Eric Neischwander: Eric is a photographer and journalist with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in wildlife, nature, and travel photography and currently works with National Geographic Magazine.
- John Neischwander: John is a retired firefighter and is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He was awarded the Coast Guard's Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal for his service.
- Gordon Neischwander: Gordon is a former American college football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Colgate University from 1951 to 1952, compiling a record of 9–7–1.
- Michael Neischwander: Michael is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter from the Chicago-land area. He has performed in various venues and festivals with various groups such as American Opera and The Tossers.
- Nancy Neischwander: Nancy is an art and costume design professional with 25 years of experience. She has worked on various television and film projects with clients such as NBC, Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros.
- Bev Neischwander: Bev is a watercolor artist and botanist who specializes in painting native plants in their natural habitats. She has over 30 years of painting experience and has exhibited her work at galleries across the country.