Surname Nieklaus - Meaning and Origin
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Nieklaus: What does the surname Nieklaus mean?
The last name Nieklaus is of Germanic origin and is likely derived from a nickname given to a person who was a leader or ruler within their community. The word ‘Nie’ is derived from the International Germanic word for ‘to rule’ or ‘lord’, while ‘Klaus’ is a diminutive name of Nicholas, a popular name among Germanic people. Thus, the name Nieklaus may have been given to a leader or ruler in a Germanic community, in reference to his lineage.
The use of names as nicknames was a common practice among Germanic communities in the Middle Ages and beyond. This practice was used to bestow honor upon an individual, particularly those of noble descent or those in positions of power in a community. In some cases, a person may also have earned a nickname through their successes in battle or through their service to the community.
As an occupational surname, those bearing the name of Nieklaus may have been civic or military leaders, such as a military captain, a mayor, a judge, or a local lord. While many of those with the name of Nieklaus likely have Germanic roots, some individuals may have been descendants of German immigrants from other parts of Europe.
Today, many individuals with the name Nieklaus may be found in Germany and other parts of Europe as well as in North and South America, Asia, and other parts of the world. The Nieklaus name is also associated with music, with some important composers and conductors bearing the name, such as Siegfried Niehaus, Wilhelm Niehaus, and Wolfram Niehaus, among others.
Order DNA origin analysisNieklaus: Where does the name Nieklaus come from?
The last name Nieklaus is most commonly found today in Germany, Poland, and Lithuania. In Germany, the surname is found mostly in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, as well as in one of the numerous Germanic dialects. In Poland, it can be found mainly in Silesian Voivodeship and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. In Lithuania, it is predominantly located in the capital of Vilnius, where it has been present since the 17th century.
The origin of the last name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when the name was associated with the patron saint of the Nieklausen family. According to legend, the family had close ties to St. Nicolas, which is why their last name carried his title.
The last name is also found in the United States, where it has recently been anglicised to 'Nyklaus'. While it is still quite rare, it can be found in a number of states including California, Oregon, and Washington. A few American families who bear this name are of German, Polish, and Lithuanian descent.
As of 2017, the most common forms of the surname Nieklaus were found in the US, Germany, Poland, and Lithuania. The surname is not particularly widespread in any other countries, but there are some scattered findings in other parts of Europe and beyond.
Variations of the surname Nieklaus
The surname Nieklaus is relatively uncommon and is believed to come from Germanic origins, particularly from a variant of a name derived from a short form of Germanic names starting with the element "nikl," such as Nikolaus. It may also be a variant of the more common surnames Nicholls and Nicholson.
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Nieklaus include:
* Niklaus
* Nyklaus
* Niclaas
* Niclauss
* Niclaus
* Niklaas
* Nikolay
* NiKlaus
* Nicklaus
* Nicolas
* Nicolay
* Nichalas
* Nickolaus
* Niclaussen
* Nikiel
* Niclas
* Nikalaas
* Niekel
* Nickolaas
* Nekl
* Nickles
* Nikles
* Nickole
* Nickuels
* Nicklausen
* Nicoles
* Nicks
* Nickolls
* Nikleson
* Nicholls
* Nickels
* Nikkelson
* Nickells
* Niklesson
* Nicols
* Nikulson
* Nikolas
* Nicolson
* Nucolai
* Nicol
* Nikoli
* Nicklson
* Nicholai
* Nikolai
* Nicois
* Nichil
* Nikholson
* Nicklau
* Nucolay
* Nichelson
* Nikholas
* Nicksen
* Nickolea
* Nicouls
* Nichels
* Nicolea
* Niklous
* Nichlos
* Nickson
* Nucula
* Nichela
* Nicula
* Nicholsen
Overall, Nieklaus is an uncommon surname and may have many different variants and spellings. Some of the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Niklaus, Nyklaus, Niclaas, Niclauss, Niclaus, Niklaas, Nikolay, NiKlaus, Nicklaus, Nicolas, Nicolay, Nichalas, Nickolaus, Niclaussen, Nikiel, Niclas, Nikalaas, Niekel, Nickolaas, Nekl, Nickles, Nikles, Nickole, Nickuels, Nicklausen, Nicoles, Nicks, Nickolls, Nikleson, Nicholls, Nickels, Nikkelson, Nickells, Niklesson, Nicols, Nikulson, Nikolas, Nicolson, Nucolai, Nicol, Nikoli, Nicklson, Nicholai, Nikolai, Nicois, Nichil, Nikholson, Nicklau, Nucolay, Nichelson, Nikholas, Nicksen, Nickolea, Nicouls, Nichels, Nicolea, Niklous, Nichlos, Nickson, Nucula, Nichela, Nicula, Nicholsen.
Famous people with the name Nieklaus
- Sylvester Nieklaus, German singer and entertainer
- Klaus Nieklaus, Brazilian music producer
- Aron Nieklaus, Swedish film director and producer
- Uli Nieklaus, German journalist and author
- Anneliese Nieklaus, German actress and director
- Johannes Nieklaus, Dutch painter
- Auguste Nieklaus, German actress
- Noelle Nieklaus, Dutch model, actress and fashion designer
- Ulrich Nieklaus, Austrian composer
- Martin Nieklaus, German writer, director and actor