Surname Nijman - Meaning and Origin
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Nijman: What does the surname Nijman mean?
The last name Nijman is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Dutch word "nijman", which was originally an occupational surname for a person who owned or managed a nightclub. This word is derived from the Dutch verb "nijmen", which means "to take care of".
The meaning of the Nijman surname is often associated with one of two qualities. The first quality is related to a person's professional ability and their capacity to “take care of” their work. The second quality is related to a person's leadership ability, considering the implication that a nightclub manager would need to be a firm but fair leader.
The Nijman surname is relatively common amongst Dutch families, and is now starting to gain popularity in other parts of Europe, such as Germany and the United Kingdom. The bearer of the surname might feel a sense of pride and responsibility for taking care of things and leading their family.
Overall, the surname Nijman reflects a proud and capable heritage. It is the name of a forward thinking and confident people, with a strong sense of drive and responsibility.
Order DNA origin analysisNijman: Where does the name Nijman come from?
The last name Nijman is common today in many parts of Europe, particularly in The Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia. It is also generally found in the Netherlands Antilles, Suriname, and French Guiana, areas with a strong Dutch influence. In the United States, it can also be found in New York City and its surrounding metropolitan area.
The surname is thought to have originated from the old Dutch word 'Nijmegen', which was a city in the Netherlands, where it first began to be used in the 16th century. This is likely due to the fact that there was a large number of immigrants from the area who settled in the Netherlands. Its popularity has probably been maintained by the prominence of the name in popular media, as there are various notable figures with this last name, such as famous Dutch footballer Cassie Nijman, Nelleke Nijemis, a Dutch singer, and Marinus Nijman, a Dutch professional racing cyclist.
Nijman is usually spelled with a double 'i', but other variations such as Nijmann, Nijmen, or Nijmanns can be seen in some cases. It is also possible to find the name spelled with the single 'i' version, such as the variants Ninman, Ninmann, and Ninmen.
It is estimated that there are approximately 26,000 people living with this last name today, making it a fairly common name in many countries. Despite this, it is likely to be found mainly in areas with a strong Dutch heritage. Therefore, it is likely to be much more common in the Netherlands and The Netherlands Antilles.
Variations of the surname Nijman
Nijman is a Dutch family name that is popular in various parts of the Netherlands. The main variants, spellings and surname forms of this name include Nyman, Nymann, Nijemann, Nijmann and Niemann. It is commonly used in the provinces of North and South Holland.
The name is derived from the Dutch word 'nijen' which mean 'graceful'. The earliest known bearer of the name was recorded as Jacob Nijman in the marriage register of the Dutch Reformed Church of Leiden in 1710.
In some cases, people with this name may have changed it to one of its variants as a result of a clerical error or an intentional name change to distinguish them. This is especially true for people with non-Dutch ancestry, who may have localized forms of the name.
In addition, families who had moved from either the Netherlands or Germany to other countries may have changed the spelling or pronunciation of their surname over time to fit the language and culture of their new home.
In some cases, the name has also been associated with the nobility. Noble families with this name may have hereditary titles such as 'de Nijman'. This designation is derived from an old family tradition of tracing their origin to a certain noble family in the Netherlands.
Famous people with the name Nijman
- Bonnie Nijman: Dutch television host, journalist, and actress
- Frenk Nijman: Dutch Radio DJ
- Gerrit Nijman: Dutch left-back footballer
- Jeroen Nijman: Dutch right-back footballer
- Romy Nijman: Dutch softball player
- Siem Nijman: Dutch filmmaker
- Teun Nijman: Dutch footballer
- Tom Nijman: Dutch sailing coach
- Twan Nijman: Dutch former kickboxing best fighter
- Wouter Nijman: Dutch basketball coach