Surname Niehls - Meaning and Origin
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Niehls: What does the surname Niehls mean?
The last name Niehls is of German origin and derives from the personal name Nehl, which is itself derived from the Old German word "nihalo" meaning "vigor." This suggests that the original bearer of the Niehls surname likely had a passion for life and was considered very active.
In Germany, the Niehls family name was first found in the region of Silesia. By the 13th century, the family had spread to other German regions such as Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein. During the 17th and 18th centuries, more Niehls emigrated to the United States, settling along the east coast and in the Midwest.
Today, people bearing the Niehls surname are mostly concentrated in the United States, but there are also many in Germany, Canada, and elsewhere. People with the Niehls name are often described as creative, assertive, and ambitious. Family tradition and reverence for their ancestors are important values to the Niehls family, and they work hard to ensure that their legacy of enthusiasm and drive lives on.
Order DNA origin analysisNiehls: Where does the name Niehls come from?
The surname Niehls is most commonly found in Germany today, with some concentrations in the US and Canada. According to the US Census Bureau, it's one of the least common American surnames, ranking in the top 2% of all surnames in the US.
Origins
The name Niehls is thought to have been derived from the German language, and is composed of two elements; "Niem," meaning "no one," and "Hls," a suffix denoting protection or loyalty.
Standard German variation
In standard German, the spelling is rendered as "Niehls". This is the form commonly used in German-speaking countries today, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Northern German variation
In northern Germany, the spelling is "Niehls". For example, in former East German states such as Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Schleswig-Holstein, this is the form commonly used.
American spelling
In the United States, the name Niehls is usually spelled without the second vowel, as "Niehl." This variant is not as common in other parts of the world.
Despite being relatively uncommon, the surname Niehls still retains its presence in Germany and the US today.
Variations of the surname Niehls
The surname Niehls is an Germanic patronymic surname, with variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin being Nihl, Nile, Neel, Neeley, Neill, Neilson, Nelson, Neilsen, Nielsen, Neis, Neises, Nyle, Niles, and Nilles.
Niehls is derived from the prefix "niwel-", which is found in Germanic languages and is equivalent to the English “descendants of” or “son of”. It was commonly used when Christian names were adopted and would be placed before the father's given name. The most common form of the surname Niehls began to appear in records in the mid-1600s.
The surname Niehls is most commonly found in Germany and lower Saxony, many of those bearing the surname trace their roots back to this area. The surname makes appearances in Holland, U.S., U.K., Sweden, Canada, and Denmark. Many of those that emigrated eventually Anglicized the spelling of their surname to Neill, Neilson, Nelson, or Nilson.
Over the years, many individuals bearing the surname have achieved success in various fields. German calculating machine inventor Thomas Nihl is one of the most notable figures who bear the surname, as is English-born Canadian chemist Neilson Niles. Many notable people, including actors, tennis players, authors, and singers have the surname as well.
Today, there are more than 11,000 people in the United States with the surname Niehls, with more than 4,000 people worldwide bearing the surname.
Famous people with the name Niehls
- Karl August Niehls: German Botanist and Physican
- Ken Niehls: American Football player
- Elie Niehls: Danish Artist
- Mathias Niehls: German Jurist and Ambassador
- Julius Niehls: 19th century German Statesman
- Henry Niehls: American Film Actor
- Henry Niehls: American Composer
- Alfred Niehls: German Photographer and Producer
- Audie Niehls: American Professional Wrestler
- Hermann Niehls: German Philosopher