Surname Niesel - Meaning and Origin
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Niesel: What does the surname Niesel mean?
The surname Niesel originated in Germany, and is of Germanic origin. The surname is derived from the Old Germanic personal name 'Niels', thought to have derived from 'Niket' which is an old Germanic word meaning 'victory'. This name could have been given to a victor of a battle or to one praised for their strength.
Since the Middle Ages, Niesel has been an exceptionally rare surname in the German-speaking world, and it is still considered quite rare today. However, there are a few bearers with the surname found in Germany and Austria. The Heimatort, or homeland, of the Niesel surname is believed to be the area surrounding the Austrian city of Vienna.
In modern times, descendants of the Niesel surname can be found throughout Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world. The majority of the families with the surname tended to be from upper and middle-class backgrounds.
Throughout the years, the Niesel surname has come to symbolize a sense of strength, courage, and endurance. Its bearers have a common thread of ambition and resilience that have enabled them to reach the goals set for themselves or their families.
Order DNA origin analysisNiesel: Where does the name Niesel come from?
The surname Niesel is found mainly in Germany and Austria today. In Germany, the name is concentrated in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. In Austria, the name is most commonly found in the federal state of Upper Austria.
The name Niesel appears to be of German origin and likely referred to an individual who lived or worked in or near a walled asylum. This term was used during the medieval times to refer to a hospital setting for those who were old, feeble, or mentally disabled. It originates from the Old High German words "niuwaz" and "sulan" which mean "corner" and "to sit" respectively.
The earliest occurrence of the name in Germany appears to have been in the Hunsrück region of Rhineland-Palatinate, dating back to the 16th century. From this region, the name spread throughout Germany and eventually found its way to Austria.
In the 21st century, there is also a small concentration of the surname Niesel in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and New York. This is likely due to either German or Austrian immigrants arriving in the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Overall, the surname Niesel today is primarily concentrated in Germany and Austria, with a smaller presence in the United States.
Variations of the surname Niesel
The surname Niesel is an anglicized version of the German name Niessel, which is also known as Niesselmann or Niesnethom. Niesel is a German surname with several variants. The most common variants of the name are Niesel, Niesele, Nieselle, Niesen, Nieson, Nießel, Nise, Nissel, and Nissen.
Niesel is an old Germanic surname with Norse origins. It is believed that it began as a patronymic, derived from the name Nisse, which means “descendant of Nisse”. Over time, its spelling was altered to Niesel.
One of the earliest entries into the German archives that mentions the name Niesel is in relation to a guild of merchants and craftsmen in 1233. This guild was called the Nieseln guild, and it is believed that the members of this guild were the first people to use this surname.
Other surnames of the same origin are Niesenroth, Nieser, Niesner, and Nießer. In the Netherlands, the name Niesel also has a variant spelling of Nijssen. In Switzerland, there is a variant spelling of Niesli.
The Niesel surname is not part of any specific family line but has been used over the centuries by a variety of families in Germany. Today, it can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. It is also used in America, Australia, and New Zealand by people who have descended from German immigrants.
Famous people with the name Niesel
- Edward Niesel, neurologist (1882-1969)
- Holger Niesel, painter (1905-1977)
- Jessie Niesel, American director and screenwriter (b. 1989)
- Robert Niesel, American chemist (1921-2009)
- Willy Niesel, German professor and theologian (1885-1959)
- Frederic Niesel, German zoologist (1880-1948)
- Johannes Niesel, German philosopher and theologian (1901-1985)
- Harald Niesel, German Lutheran bishop (1896-1985)
- Ernst Niesel, German religious scholar (1889-1957)
- Friedrich Niesel, German surgeon (1877-1945)
- Clemens Niesel, German pathologist (1875-1956)
- Carl Niesel, German chemist and pharmacist (1854-1912)
- Luise Niesel, Austrian translator (1908-2008)
- Salomon Niesel, German rabbi and educator (1835-1917)