Surname Nietzel - Meaning and Origin
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Nietzel: What does the surname Nietzel mean?
The surname Nietzel is a Germanic derived name that has a number of versions, depending on the country or region of origin. In Germany specifically, the name means "of the narrow valley," which could be a reference to a home village or a valley in which the original individuals with the name held land or residence. Other regional spellings include Nietz, Neitzel, Nitzel, Nitzl, and Nietzsch.
In addition to being Germanic, the surname has also been adapted into many other cultures and countries. It is present in almost all countries of Europe, as well as the United States and Australia. Different spellings of the name have been found in countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and in other parts of the world as well.
The surname is of both nobility and peasantry origin, with two prominent branches of the family that have tracing back to nobility. Both branches trace back to the middle of the 15th century, when the family was a prominent presence in Bavaria, Germany.
The surname is not extremely prevalent today, but is still found throughout many countries of the world. It is a recognizable part of European and American history, with its long and varied history that has been passed down in different parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisNietzel: Where does the name Nietzel come from?
The last name Nietzel is most commonly found in Germany today. Germany has the most people with the last name Nietzel, with roughly 1,000 people still bearing the name. After Germany, the United States is the second-most common place to find the name, with upwards of 200 people currently bearing the surname. Other notable locations for the surname Nietzel include France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria.
Regardless of where it is found today, the name Nietzel is believed to have originated in Bavaria in the mid-1700s. In Germany, the surname is linked to the middle and lower Rhine Valley, as many families of the name are found in those areas. Some of the first known bearers of the Nietzel name were recorded in the time period of 1551-1686 and appear to be related to the Friesian dialect. The name is also believed to have derived from the older German word “Nitzel.”
The number of Nietzels in the world today is relatively small compared to other last names, but the name still persists in many countries.
Variations of the surname Nietzel
The surname Nietzel has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of Nietzel include Nietzell, Nietzela, Nietzella, Nietzsle, Nietzler, Netzell, Netzela, Netzle, Neitzel, Nitzel, Nizel, Nitzell, and Nitzela.
The surname Nietzel likely derives from the Middle High German personal name Niczo from which the surname is derived. It is furthermore likely that the name is an occupational name for someone who was a ‘Nicholas’ or a person who was a servant of the prophet Nicholas or a person who followed him or a person who was a good Christian.
The Variants of Nietzel and their spellings can also be found with the following Germanic surnames- Netz, Nietzold, Nitzold, Nietzolde, Nietzeler, Nietzoldt, Nietzolz, Nietzman, Neitzel, Netzl, Netzle, Netzler, Nitzolt, Nitzold, and Nitzoltz.
In the United States of America, families with the Nietzel surname originated from Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and France. Other variants of the Nietzel surname, with different spelling and variations, can trace their lineage to the same countries.
The earliest records of the Nietzel surname can be traced to the 16th century and is found mainly in Prussia, Germany. It is most commonly found in the states of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, and Schleswig-Holstein in Germany.
Famous people with the name Nietzel
- Bob Nietzel: Bob Nietzel is renown for his work as the President of Ball State University, where he served from 2000 to 2008. During his tenure, Ball State experienced great success and growth.
- Dr. Bruce Nietzel: Dr. Bruce Nietzel is an accomplished ophthalmologist and medical researcher who published more than 50 articles exploring the field of ophthalmology and vision research. He also co-authored several books about vision, including “Taking Sight Seriously.”
- Ted Nietzel: Ted Nietzel is a prominent cardiologist and medical researcher who has published many scientific papers and books on his various medical explorations. He is also the founding chair of the department of cardiology at Bates College.
- John Nietzel: John Nietzel is a famous eco-educator who specializes in wildlife management and environmental science. He is the author of several influential books about wildlife, sustainability, and green causes.
- Donnie Nietzel: Donnie Nietzel is an acclaimed film and TV actor known for his numerous roles in both big screen and small screen productions, including the award-winning series “The Golden Girls.”
- Brian Nietzel: Brian Nietzel is a Grammy-nominated composer, producer, and sound engineer who has worked with a number of legendary artists such as Beyoncé, Elton John, Alanis Morissette, and more.