Surname Nellißen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'N'
Nellißen: What does the surname Nellißen mean?
The surname Nellißen is a Germanic patronymic surname, with the literal meaning of "son or descendant of Nelli". The root of the surname is most likely the given name Nelli, which is a diminutive form of the German name Helene (or any of the other variations such as Helena, Helene, Ellen).
The French equivalent of the name would be Hélène, while other variations include the Italian Elena, the Spanish Elena, the Catalan Elena, the Scandinavian Elin, and the Slavic Jelena. The etymology of the name Helene most likely comes from the Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē), which is derived from the Greek word ἑλένη (helénē) meaning "torch" or "light".
Nellißen is a fairly common surname in Germany, where it originated. Bearers of the name can often be found with roots in northern Germany, particularly in southern Lower Saxony, the Dutch province of Groningen, and Flanders. Records dating as far back as the 13th century mention bearers of the name, possibly with variations Nelissen, Nellissen, or Nelleßen. In the centuries since, immigrants carrying the name have spread it to other places around the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere.
Today, there are many famous people who bear the Nellißen surname, including German footballers Lars and Joel Nellißen, German actress Maria Nellißen, and Danish ice hockey player Thomas Nellißen. All of them trace their roots back to the same origins that generations of Nellißens can trace their lineage back to.
Order DNA origin analysisNellißen: Where does the name Nellißen come from?
Nellißen is a surname originating from Germany and is a variation of “Nellessen”. It is still quite common today, found primarily in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, and Austria.
In Germany, the areas with the highest concentration of people surnamed Nellißen tend to be in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, which including the cities of Cologne, Dortmund, Bochum, Duisburg, Dusseldorf, and Bonn. The regions of Lower-Saxony and Hamburg also have a high concentration of people with the Nellißen surname.
Outside of Germany, the Netherlands is another place where the surname Nellißen is commonly found. It is particularly prevalent in the south-western and north-western areas, including the Rotterdam metropolitan area and the cities of The Hague, Utrecht, and Groningen.
In Belgium, the surname is quite common in the Flanders region, particularly in the cities of Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, and Leuven. The lowland areas of Switzerland are also known to have a high concentration of people with the last name Nellißen.
In Denmark, the surname is most prevalent in the capital city of Copenhagen, as well as the island of Bornholm, located on the country's southeastern coast.
Finally, the surname is common in Austria, primarily in Vienna, the country's capital city, as well as in the city of Salzburg.
Overall, Nellißen is still quite a common surname, particularly in the areas of Europe that were historically part of the Holy Roman Empire.
Variations of the surname Nellißen
Nellißen is a surname of German origin which is sometimes seen written as Nellißen, Nellissen, Nellessen, Nelliß, Nelliss, Nellis or Nelles.
The surname is derived from the given name "Nelliß". Nelliß is a German variant of the Greek name Cornelius. It evolved from the name Cornelius into the German form of Kornelius, Korneli, Korneliß, Korneliusz, Korneliusz, Kornelliss, Kornellis, Nelliß, Nellissen, Nellessen, Nellißen, Nelliss and Nellis.
The 1979 film, Die Nellißen, was named after this surname.
Nellißen is still a common surname in Germany, with estimates of over 10,000 people having the name. It is also common in Netherlands, with estimates of around 800 people having the name there. It can also be found in other countries including Austria, Switzerland and France.
The Nellißen surname may have French origins, as there are variations of the name such as Nelles, which is very similar to the French name Nelle. It is also possible that the name comes from the Dutch name Nelle or Nel.
People with the surname Nellißen include Thomas Nellißen (born 1970), a retired German footballer and Horst Nellißen (born 1962), a retired German volleyball player.
Famous people with the name Nellißen
- Henning Nellissen: German film Producer and Director.
- Kenneth Nellissen: Dutch Water Polo Player.
- Jorg Nellissen: German Footballer.
- Bjorn Nellissen: Dutch Professional Cyclist.
- Eleonora Nellissen: German Abstract painter and artist.
- Gustavo Nellissen: Argentine Aeronautical Engineer.
- Tobias Nellissen: German Politician.
- Johannes Nellissen: Belgian Painter and Film Maker.
- Jorg Nellissen: German Music Producer.
- Susanne Nellissen: German Photographer and Director.
- Holger Nellissen: German Television Actor and Celebrity.
- Judy Nellissen: Dutch Singer-songwriter.
- Carsten Nellissen: German Actor and producer.
- Britta Nellissen: German Actress.
- Katrin Nellissen: German Actress.
- Yvonne Nellissen: Dutch Singer and Musician.
- Joop Nellissen: Dutch Jazz Musician.
- Marc Nellissen: German Architect, Manager and Entrepreneur.
- Mike Nellissen: Dutch Musician and Composer.
- Reginald Nellissen: Dutch Military Officer.