Surname Niele - Meaning and Origin
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Niele: What does the surname Niele mean?
The surname Niele is of Dutch origin. However, the exact meaning of the surname Niele is not clear since it doesn't seem to directly translate into a specific word or concept in the Dutch language. Like many surnames, it could be derived from a patronymic, a professional role, or a geographical location associated with the ancestors of those who bear it. It could also be a spelling variation of other similar surnames. For a precise determination of its meaning or origin, specialized genealogical research would be required. It is also significant to remember that surnames may have evolved or changed over generations due to migration, regional dialects, and other social or cultural factors.
Order DNA origin analysisNiele: Where does the name Niele come from?
The last name Niele is most commonly found in Belgium, Luxemburg, and other parts of Europe today. It is most common specifically in the Netherlands and can also be found with variations in other countries such as France, Luxembourg and Germany. The origin of the name derived from the Latin ending –ell, meaning diminutive. It developed into the Old French –el and then to the modern surname Niele. The surname is derived from an occupational name, which suggests that the original bearer of the name Niele was a flame-bearer, someone who lights fires or works in a forge.
The frequency of the surname is highest in Belgium, coinciding with the Belgo-Luxembourg population that emigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. Additionally, records of the surname from the 1600s and 1700s can be found in the family archives of Belgium and Belgian families.
Outside of Belgium and Luxembourg, the surname is not common in most other countries, however, it can be found in France (under the spelling Niéle) and also in the Netherlands, where the spelling Neijel often appears.
The Neijel family, hailing from the Netherlands, emigrated to the United States in the early 19th century and helps to explain why the surname can be found in early US census records.
The last name Niele can also be found in other parts of the world, such as parts of Canada, thanks to the relocation of Dutch and Belgian settlers.
Variations of the surname Niele
The surname Niele is derived from the given name, Nicholas. Variants of the surname Niele include Nilen, Neilen, Nilan, Nielson, Neilson, Niall, Neal, Nash, Nach and O'Neill.
Niele is an anglicised version of the Irish patronymic surname O'Neill. It is believed to have been formed from the given name Niall, a name which itself was taken from the Gaelic word "Neall" and has many variants.
In America, various spellings were used to denote the same family. Niele, Nele, Neill, Kanaley, Kanally, Kinale, Kinall, Kaynill, Kenilly, Keneally, McGeehy, Callaghan, McKeneally, Callihan, Colligan, and Neelon are some of the common spellings of the same surname.
In Scotland, Niele is derived from the Gaelic given name Niall. This name was the basis for the names Clojure, Glint, and Neilson found in Scotland. Other variants of the name include McCool, Naill, Neal, Neil, Neill, Neilson, Nelson, and Nisbet.
In England, the spelling Niele is normaly derived from the name Neil. Variants include Neill, Nilen and Neilen.
In Germany, the surname Niele is derived from the Old German given name Neiwalt, which itself derived from the Old German neod, meaning “new” and wald, meaning “engagement” or “rule”. Variants of the name include Neumann, Newhaus, Nyman, Niehaus, Nyemand, and Neuwelt.
In France, the surname Niele is derived from the given name, Nicolas. Variants include Nielson, Neilson, Niall, Neal, and Nash.
Ultimately, no matter the spelling, Niele is a surname with strong Celtic roots, and its variants are proof of this.
Famous people with the name Niele
- Gary Niele: American former basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics and New Jersey Nets
- Jered Niele: American professional snowboarder, winner of the 1997 ESPY award for Best Male Action Sports Athlete
- Míchel Niele: Dutch footballer who played for multiple teams, including Ajax, Genoa and PSV Eindhoven
- Anke Niele: German contemporary painter
- Pilar Niele: Spanish basketball player, competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics for the Spanish national team
- Shawn Niele: US slalom canoer who had competed between the late 1980s and the mid-2000s
- Melissa Niele: American film producer and director, president of Semo Productions
- Olivier Niele: Belgian table tennis player, survived the Holocaust to become the National Table Tennis Champion
- Don Niele: Canadian ice hockey player, played for Toronto Blueshirts in the National Hockey Association
- Erin Niele: American high jumper, competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics, 2006 World Cup, and 2008 Olympic Trials.