Surname Niezel - Meaning and Origin
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Niezel: What does the surname Niezel mean?
The last name Niezel is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the German word "nie" meaning "new" and the Dutch word "zel" meaning "salvation" or "victory". In German, the name can be translated as "new victory".
The surname typically origins from the Northern part of the Netherlands and several Middle German regions. It is believed to have originated from a town situated on the Dutch-German border.
The earliest record of the last name is dated back to the late 13th century, when a certain Johannes Niezel is mentioned in a tax list from Utrecht in the Netherlands. Over several centuries, the Niezel family established itself in all parts of the Netherlands, and many Dutch immigrants with the last name eventually settled in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Today, the Niezel surname is still prevalent throughout many parts of the world. The majority of people bearing the name likely still trace back their ancestry to Northern Europe. The surname is likely to denote a blessedness and a sense of hope, and is often associated with courage and grace.
Order DNA origin analysisNiezel: Where does the name Niezel come from?
The last name Niezel is common mainly throughout parts of the Netherlands today. Without a doubt, the most concentration is in the province of Friesland and parts of neighboring Groningen and Drenthe. According to statistics, roughly one in every 3,500 Dutch people has the surname Niezel.
In places like Friesland, where the name Niezel is most common, one can usually trace back directly to a common ancestor 5-15 generations ago, depending on the branch of the family tree. This is very unique for Dutch surnames, where the majority of surnames are much more diluted and associated with many different ancestors within just a few generations.
Other countries where the name Niezel is commonly found today are South Africa and the United States. Small pockets of Niezel's can be located throughout the United States, usually having migrated in the 18th or 19th centuries. It is believed that the most significant wave of migration to the US took place in the 1870s, as a result of the impact the Franco-Prussian war had on the Dutch.
Moreover, the surname Niezel is also very common in South Africa today, especially in the western coastal areas closer to the Dutch border. This connection dates back to the mid-1800s, when many Dutch families emigrated to the South African Cape Colony, and this influx of people has had a lasting influence on the population.
Ultimately, the last name Niezel is still overwhelmingly connected to its roots in the Netherlands. However, throughout the diaspora of Dutch people throughout the centuries, it has become somewhat widespread in South African and American populations as well.
Variations of the surname Niezel
The surname Niezel has several variants and spellings, such as Niezels, Niezle, Neisels, Nezels, Nezles, Nezal, Neizels, and Niesels. All these variants and spellings derive from the same surname.
The name Niezel has two primary etymological sources. The first is the Polish surname Niezalkowski, which is derived from the words "nie" and "zalo", meaning "not looking". The second source is the German name Niezel, which is derived from the word "nitzeln," which means "to laugh". Both meanings provide insight into the origin of the surname, as it was likely used to denote someone with a cheerful disposition.
The Dutch word "niezel" is an old occupational name referencing someone who was good with knots and shoelaces. Over time, the name became associated with an entire family, with members taking on the surname as a sign of kinship.
Today, Niezel is primarily found in the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as in North America, where it is most common among immigrants of Dutch-Flemish descent. However, it can also be found in France, Sweden, and other parts of Europe.
The last name is quite rare, but its variants—such as Niezle, Niessel, Neesels, Neizels, and Niezals—are more common. The surname is known to exist in over 30 countries, with the most concentrated populations in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States. It is also common in Canada, Germany, Australia, and South Africa.
Famous people with the name Niezel
- Robert Niezel: a Dutch professional motorcyclist who has won several Grand Prix and has secured multiple world championships throughout his career.
- Dirk Niezel: a Dutch theatre director and actor who has worked in both television and stage productions, and is well-known in Europe for his theatrical creations.
- Hans Niezel: a German musician and composer who wrote several operas and ballets, and is best known for composing the song “Das Lied der Deutschen”: the official national anthem of the German Empire from 1871 until its dissolution in 1918.
- Lauren Niezel: an American film and television actress best known for her work in the series “Glow” and the films “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Big Daddy”.
- Andreas Niezel: a Swiss sculptor best known for his large public sculptures, many of which can be found in cities across Europe.
- Christian Niezel: a former professional football player from Germany who played all over Europe and is remembered for his time with the German club Hubertusburg.
- August Niezel: an Austrian admiral who served in the Imperial Austrian Navy, commanding several ships over the course of his career.
- Richard Niezel: a German theologian, historian, and educator who was a renowned authority on the history of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Léonard Niezel: a Luxembourgian engineer who helped to introduce electrical power to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the late 19th century.