Surname Neßler - Meaning and Origin
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Neßler: What does the surname Neßler mean?
The last name Neßler is a German surname that is believed to have first originated in the Middle Ages. It is thought to have been derived from the term ‘Nessel’, which referred to the nettle plant, and likely referred to someone who lived near a nettle patch.
The surname is most commonly found in western and central Germany, and is particularly prominent in the Württemberg region. Those with the last name could have a variety of occupations, including farming and blacksmithing, but may have also been weavers. This was because the nettle plant was used in cloth making as early as the 11th and 12th centuries, particularly in Central Europe.
The original spelling of the surname was subject to various regional dialects, with variants including Nessler, Nessler and Neissler found on contemporary 19th century birth and death records in Germany. The modern spelling was standardised in the mid-19th century, with the surname becoming Neßler.
Despite the regional spread of the surname, numerous regional branches have been identified across Europe, suggesting that some families have kept close ties. One branch appears to have been located in the Paris region as early as 1570, before spreading to various regions of what is now France, Germany and Switzerland century.
Today, the surname Neßler is found across Europe and beyond, and is especially common in Germany, Switzerland and France. Amongst Americans of German descent, the surname is likewise common, likely owing to immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisNeßler: Where does the name Neßler come from?
Neßler is a German surname that is presently most common in the north and east of Germany. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and in some parts of the United States and Canada due to migration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In Germany, the largest concentration of Neßler is in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where nearly 9,000 people carry the surname. This is followed by the states of Bavaria, Hamburg, and Lower Saxony. In total, it is estimated that there are over 60,000 people with the last name Neßler in Germany.
The roots of the Neßler surname can be traced to the word 'nestler', which, in Old High German, translates as 'one who lives near a nest'. This likely refers to a person who made their home near a bird's nest, such as near a lake or river.
In the United States, Neßler is found in many large cities, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and California, where many German immigrants chose to settle in the 19th or 20th centuries. The largest concentration of Neßler in the U.S., however, is in Texas, where there are estimated to be over 5,000 people with the surname.
In Canada, most Neßler are located in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta, although some can also be found in Manitoba, Quebec, and British Columbia. Overall, the Neßler surname is much less common in Canada than it is in the U.S. or Germany. However, it is likely that its presence will grow as more German immigrants continue to arrive in both countries.
Variations of the surname Neßler
Neßler is a German surname, derived from the German word “Nest” meaning a nest or shelter. Common variants of this name include Nestler, Nesteler, Neßelear, Nesseler, Nestle, Nastler, Nasteler, Nasseler, Nastler, and Nestl.
In some cases, this name has been Americanized and the phonetic spelling of the name has changed slightly. For example, Nesler, Nessel, Nessler, Nesler, Nessler, Nesslar, and Nessler are all alternate spellings of this name. It is possible for the surname to be spelled with a double “s” instead of an “ss”, in which case it is spelled as Nessler.
As is common with many German surnames, there are often regional variations. For example, the German name “Neßler” is sometimes found as “Neßelear” in Lower Saxony and “Neßeler” in some parts of Bavaria.
In terms of surnames with the same origin as Neßler, there are also Nestle, Nesteler, and Nastler. These surname variations are often found as a result of regional assimilation, such as the Nestle variant being found among Bavarian and Austrian populations. Similarly, the Nastler variation is primarily found in Bavaria.
Many alternative spellings and surnames of Neßler are the result of the surname being spelled phonetically or otherwise anglicised. There have been instances of the surname arising due to people transliterating the German word “Nest”, meaning nest or shelter, too.
Famous people with the name Neßler
- Robert Neßler, German endurance athlete, actor and photographer.
- Johann Neßler, German artist and sculptor.
- Carola Neßler, German TV presenter.
- Grit Neßler, German swimmer.
- Daniel Neßler, German footballer.
- Jürgen Neßler, German rower.
- Jean Neßler, French professional footballer.
- Mario Neßler, German sound technician and artist.
- Harold Neßler, German head designer at Audi.
- Paul Neßler, German art director.
- Gerhard Neßler, Austrian composer.
- Laurens van Neßler, former Dutch water polo player.
- Erich Neßler, German director and actor.
- Sergey Neßler, Russian diver.
- Philipp Neßler, German professional golfer.
- Kaarina Neßler, Finnish cross-country skier.
- Helga Neßler, German politician.
- Henry Neßler, Dutch chemist and professor.
- Badi Neßler, Austrian fashion designer.
- Ortwin Neßler, German archaeologist.