Surname Nießl - Meaning and Origin
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Nießl: What does the surname Nießl mean?
The last name Nießl has its origin in the German language and is derived from the noun Nieß, which can mean either "a wet, marshy shore," or "joyous noise." Over time, the original meaning may have shifted slightly and come to represent someone from a damp, marshy area, since such environments would create joyous noise as animals scurried through undergrowth and birds chirped and sang.
Although the exact origins of the name are unclear, records from many centuries ago cite many families bearing the name in northern Germany and northeastern France. It is believed that they may descend from a shared medieval ancestor.
The form of the name could also have been influenced by national borders. The hyphen before the s on the end of the name, which is a common feature of Germanic surnames, didn’t exist in French genalogical records until the early 1800s. This means that Nießl was likely the original surname of the German families.
Whatever the origin, the Nießl name has stood the test of time and is now popular in many locations around the world. Those who bear the name take pride in its symbolic representation of a lively, joy-filled environment.
Order DNA origin analysisNießl: Where does the name Nießl come from?
Today, the last name Nießl is most common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other German-speaking countries. The name may have originated from the first name Nikolaus, a variant of Nicholas in some German regions, which sounds like "Nieß/la". The name is also linked to the southern German word for barn owl or little owl—"neise", which is pronounced almost the same as “Nießl”.
The surname is widely found in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, along the Danube River in Austria, and in some areas of West and Northeast Germany. Additionally, it is prevalent in the areas of Switzerland bordering Germany and Austria, as well as in the Alsace region of France where many ethnic Germans reside.
In the United States of America, the surname has been around since the 1700s. Records show it was first present in Pennsylvania, with many of the earliest colonies scattered across New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. Migrants of German origin have settled in numerous areas around the United States, which has resulted in Nießl being more widespread than before.
Overall, the Nießl surname is not overly common today and is usually only found in German-speaking regions and countries with German immigrant populations.
Variations of the surname Nießl
Nießl is a surname of German and Austrian origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word nessler, meaning one who inflicts fines or tolls. This surname can be spelled several different ways, including Nießlein, Niesel, Niesl, Niesele, Nieser, Nieserl, Niesle, Niessel, Niestle, Niessl, Nissel, Nyessle, and Nyessl. In other countries, it may also be spelled Neisley, Nyssle, Nissal, Nyssel, Niesel, Niesser, Nyser, Nesl, Naisley, Nyesel, Nisseler, Neesler, Nesle, Nessl, and Nessle.
In Germany and Austria, the Nießl family likely began as a lower class peasant family, belonging to the village or stead, with members performing duties as servants and labourers on the land of their lord. The family may have then earned certain privileges and distinctions through service faithfulness. Later, their fortunes may have improved, resulting in some family members becoming landowners, magistrates, doctors, mayors and other respectable positions.
The Nießl surname is most commonly found in Germany and Austria, but it is also found in parts of the United States, including Pennsylvania, Missouri, Texas, and Illinois. It can also be found in parts of Slovakia, and some members of the Nießl family can be found in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and South Africa.
Famous people with the name Nießl
- Tobias Nießl, German footballer
- Hans Nießl, Austrian footballer
- Simon Nießl, Swiss novelist
- Thomas Nießl, German general
- Paul Nießl, Austrian economist
- Christian Nießl, Austrian architect
- Katrin Nießl, Austrian handball player
- Friedrich Nießl, Austrian footballer
- Franz Nießl, Austrian golfer
- Elmar Nießl, German sculptor