Surname Niggeweg - Meaning and Origin

Niggeweg: What does the surname Niggeweg mean?

Niggeweg is a German surname of especially northern German origin. It is a combination of two words, “nigge”, which means ‘morsel’, and “weg”, which translates to ‘way’. In other words, ‘Niggeweg’ roughly translates to ‘little way’.

It's likely, therefore, that this surname originated with someone who traveled along a short, but open road or path - possibly in a forest, or between two villages. The prefix “nigge” suggests the journey may have been relatively small, perhaps in comparison to the long distances traveled by knights, merchants, and other travelers of the time.

Another potential source of the name could have been a field of crops owned by an ancestor along a narrow 'way', perhaps using it to carry harvested produce to market. It's also possible the name describes a small pathway leading to an ancestor's front door.

Whatever the case, the Niggeweg family is undoubtedly proud of their immigrant history and their roots in Germany. Today, Niggewegs can be found all over the world, preserving their unique surname and the interesting story of its origin.

Niggeweg: Where does the name Niggeweg come from?

Niggeweg is a rare surname today. The Last Name Niggeweg is most notably found in the Netherlands, where it is believed to have originated from. It is believed to have been derived from the Middle Dutch name "Niegerwegh" which translates to "black way/path", indicating that the family may have originated from a path/street that was labeled "black". This is due to the Dutch word, "negre" meaning black that was used to identify the path.

This last name is also found in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Niggeweg is considered to be a patronymic last name, originating from the given name Nieger, where the suffix "-weg" was added to denote a family identity.

Recently, the Last Name Niggeweg is most commonly found throughout the Netherlands, particularly in the Dutch provinces of Drenthe and Groningen. It is believed by many that there are also pockets of Niggeweg families located in Germany and Belgium. Due to its rarity today, however, tracking down members of the Niggeweg family is challenging.

In general, it is estimated that today there are fewer than 200 in the world possessing the last name Niggeweg. As such, this last name is rare and difficult to find outside of the Netherlands and surrounding countries.

Variations of the surname Niggeweg

The surname Niggeweg is derived from the German word “Niggwerg”, which means “writer or recorder”. It is believed to have originated in Germany in the early Middle Ages.

This surname has a variety of spellings and variants, all of which are based on the same origin. These include Niggweg, Niggeweig, Niggwerg, Niggewerg, Niggebar, Niggebauer, Niggebusch, Niggelaar, Niggethorpe, Niggemeier, and Niggers.

The variants can also be traceable to different countries and languages. For instance, the similar-sounding surname Niggebohn is derived from a Dutch version of Niggeweg. Niggemeier and Niggers are derived from the Germanic languages. In England, variants of the name such as Neagle, Nichol, and Nightingale are popular. In France, the spelling Niggebar is used, while in Switzerland, the variant Niessig is used. In Finland, the surname Nikander is sometimes used as a variation of Niggeweg.

Beyond the soundalike spellings and variants in other countries, many surnames have evolved from the original Niggeweg. Such names include Nigh, Niegmann, Niemann, Nigele, Niges, Niegel, Niemeyer, Niggemann, and Nigsmann.

In short, the surname Niggeweg has many spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. Regardless of the variant, the origin of the name remains the same – “writer or recorder”.

Famous people with the name Niggeweg

• Henk Niggeweg: Dutch engineer and artist, best known for his expertise in electrical engineering, mechatronics, as well as video and motion art.
• Sara Niggeweg: Dutch artist who works in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and installations.
• Lidewij Niggeweg: Dutch visual artist whose work is centered around the concept of hybridizing and transforming everyday objects and materials into powerful works of art.
• Jan Willem Niggeweg: Dutch painter and geometric artist.
• Pieter Niggeweg: Dutch painter and printmaker, known for his figures and landscapes.
• Aart Niggeweg: Dutch sculptor and visual artist, often creating both figurative and abstract works in bronze, resin and metal.
• Willem Niggeweg: Dutch painter and occasional sculptor who is renowned for his romantic landscapes and floral still life.
• Harm Niggeweg: Dutch photographer who is known for his documentary-style black-and-white images.
• Bart Niggeweg: Dutch painter, draftsman and draftsman who is best known for his abstract paintings and sketches of everyday objects.
• Erna Niggeweg: Dutch ceramist who is known for her beautifully detailed decorative ceramic pieces.

Other surnames

Niggewöhner