Surname Neßhover - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'N'
Neßhover: What does the surname Neßhover mean?
The last name Neßhover is a German name, likely of Germanic or Dutch origin. The literal translation of the name is “a hollow.” In the Middle Ages, about 1300 years ago, a “hollow” was a region of land with especially lowlands, like a valley or hole between mountains. The name can be found all over Germany today, suggesting that the family most likely originated in an area with a plentiful number of these geologically interesting features.
Neßhover is also believed to be an occupational surname, adopted by a family line of people whose profession was to work in a “hollow” as a farmer, a woodcutter, a repairman, or a hunter. In other words, the Neßhover surname may have come to be associated with the profession of a person who worked in the “hollow” of the region.
Today, Neßhover remains a highly unique last name and is considered a rare gem among German and Dutch surnames. While its meaning is fuzzy and its origin unclear, its European roots certainly give it a special character.
Order DNA origin analysisNeßhover: Where does the name Neßhover come from?
The last name Neßhover can be found mostly in Germany. It is primarily seen in the Lower Saxony region in the north and the North Rhine-Westphalia region in the west of Germany. This last name appears to descend from the German word “neßhove,” which means small village.
Though Neßhover is mainly seen in Germany, its distribution has crossed borders. This last name has spread to the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, France, Belgium, and Switzerland, as well as to the United States, Canada, and other countries with German emigrants.
The current Neßhover population is estimated to be around 5,000, though this number is likely to be an underestimation. Since the last name is relatively uncommon today, it is difficult to calculate the exact number of people with the Neßhover name.
Research into historical records can be used to find some of the earliest known occurrences of Neßhover in Germany. Records from 15th and 16th century Lower Saxony indicate people with the last name Neßhover resided in the area. The name has also been found in the church records of the area, as well as in records for emigrants from Germany.
Given its limited frequency, the Neßhover last name is a unique one with an interesting geographical history. With its source in the German word “neßhove,” the family name Neßhover has traveled across Europe and beyond, taking its cause of origin with it.
Variations of the surname Neßhover
Neßhover is one of the many German surnames that have endured through centuries. It is believed to have originated in the late Middle Ages as a variation of the name "Nechtrekhover", from the Niederschlesisch region of northern Germany.
The basic spelling of Neßhover is the most common, although variations exist. Neßhöver, Neßhoever, Neschoever and Nesenhaver are alternate spellings. In some areas where dialects have changed, the spelling may have changed accordingly to reflect local pronunciation. The surname may also be found spelled as Neßhöfer, Nesshoever, Nesshofer, Nesenhaver, Nesenhagen and Nesselhaufer.
The ancient versions of the name, Neßhöfer and Nesselhaufer, may also be seen. Over many centuries, the original "h" in the spelling has been dropped, resulting in variations like Nesshofer, Nesshoever and Nesshover. In addition, many other variants have merged to create new spellings, such as Neschoever, Nesenhafer and Nesenhaver. About eighty percent of the Neßhover surname is found in the German state of Hesse in the Rhine/Ruhr Valley area.
In some countries such as Austria and Switzerland, the surname may appear with other spelling variations such as Nasshoefer, Nasenhaufer or Nesselhofer. Some sparse instances of the surname have also been found in Denmark (Nesenhaver or Nesenhaesen) and The Netherlands (Nasenhauer).
Many emigrants to the United States during the 19th century may have Anglicized their name to Nesshover, Nesshafer orNezzhover. Others chose to retain the original spelling of the name. Therefore, Neßhover can be found with spellings both in the U.S. as well as in English-speaking other countries in the Caribbean, South America and Australia.
No matter the spelling, all variants of the Neßhover name share a common origin and root.
Famous people with the name Neßhover
- Christiane Neßhover: Christiane Neßhover is an Austrian voice artist, actress, and singer who has appeared in many animated films, cartoons, and television shows, including An American Tail and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
- Konrad Neßhover: Konrad Neßhover is an Austrian rock, pop, and classical composer. He has composed music for films, television series and stage plays, and his songs have been used in a variety of award-winning productions.
- Alexander Neßhover: Alexander Neßhover is a German director, screenwriter, and writer. He is best known for directing the 2003 film Hinter Kaifeck and the award-winning 2012 film Der Babynator.
- Astrid Neßhover: Astrid Neßhover is a German journalist, television presenter, and author. She is the host of the popular talk shows Die Leserin and Echte Verehrer.
- Christine Neßhover: Christine Neßhover is a German filmmaker, television writer, and editor. She is known for her works such as Tag der Befreiung (1966) and Die Heimatmacher (1966), as well as her screenplay for the film Porzellan (1996).
- Roman Neßhover: Roman Neßhover is an Austrian sculptor and artist best known for his works in Königsberg Cathedral, one of the most significant landmarks in Graz, Austria. His sculptures and artwork are also found in various public places around Graz.
- Otto Neßhover: Otto Neßhover is a German biochemist and researcher in the field of plant and microbial biology. He is currently a professor at the University of Osnabrück in Germany, and his research focuses on the genetic regulation of plant metabolic pathways.
- Birgitte Neßhover: Birgitte Neßhover is a Danish actress known for her appearances in films such as Pusher (1996) and Blinkende Lygter (2000). She has also had key roles in television series such as Nikolaj og Julie (2001) and Dræberne fra Nibe (2003).