Surname Nisbythe - Meaning and Origin
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Nisbythe: What does the surname Nisbythe mean?
The last name Nisbythe is of Scottish origin and has been traced back to the early 1600s. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name Nesbiǫr, which means "dweller by the promontory". The spelling of the surname can vary, as it has been recorded as Nesbythe, Nisbythe, Nisbt, Nisythe, and other variants.
The Nisbythe family has a long and rich history in Scotland. The earliest record of the name appears in a 1544 deed from Stirling involving John Nesbythe, and records in the area of Largo—where the Nisbythe's have a long-standing association—show that the family had been settled nearby for some time even before that. The family was involved in a variety of trades, including farming, fishing, and seafaring.
Descent from the ancient Nisbythe family is marked with a number of honors and distinctions. In 2005, David Nisbythe was inducted into the Scottish Genealogy Hall of Fame, and members of the family have been made members of other prestigious organizations and associations.
Today, the Nisbythe household is a diverse one, but there is an underlying sense of kinship and familial pride that ties them all together. No matter the differences, all those with the name Nisbythe can take pride in their long and illustrious heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisNisbythe: Where does the name Nisbythe come from?
The last name Nisbythe is not particularly common today. It can be found in records from all over the world, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the US, the Nisbythe surname is particularly concentrated among people of Irish, Welsh, and Scottish descent.
The Nisbythe surname appears to have originated in the 12thcentury, with the earliest known recorded family originating from Scotland. It is believed that the Nisbythe family first moved to Ireland in the late 1500s, when James I of England began his ‘Plantation of Ulster’, a program to bring Protestant English settlers to Ireland. It is possible that the family then moved to North America, as many other families of Irish, Welsh, and Scottish descent did in the late 17th and 18th centuries.
Today, Nisbythe is most commonly found in the United States, where it is likely that descendants of the original Nisbythe family remain. The 2019 US Census records five people with the last name Nisbythe living in the US, scattered across a handful of states. There is one Nisbythe household in each of Madison, Wisconsin; Central City, Kentucky; West Bloomfield, Michigan; Round Rock, Texas; and Florence, Oregon.
While the Nisbythe last name may not be particularly common today, its long history and strong ties to the UK and Ireland can still be felt in modern descendants of the original Nisbythe family.
Variations of the surname Nisbythe
The surname Nisbythe is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the ancient pre 7th century word "nis," meaning a promontory, and "byth," meaning near or beside. This surname is spelled variously as Nisbett, Nisbet, Nesbit, Nesbitt, Nesbith, Nizbet, Nisbyth, and Nisbythe.
The earliest record of this surname dates back to 1296, where one William de Nizbet was noted in the “Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland”. In 1419, Robert de Nesbet appears in the Register of the Freemen of the City of York. Other variants of this surname have also been found in Yorkshire records from the 16th and 17th centuries, including the birth record of William Nesbit, which dates back to 1586.
The surname has spread from the area of Yorkshire to other villages and countries throughout the world. It can be found in Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
Many different spelling variations have emerged over time, each of which provides its own unique history and genealogy. The primitive origins of Nisbythe provide a clue as to its origins, with the prefix “nis” meaning a promontory or hill and the suffix “byth” meaning near or beside.
Spelling variations of this ancient surname have included Nizbet, Nessbet, Nisbett, Nesbitt, Nesbit, Nisbyth, Nizbeth, and Nisbet. The Scottish variant, Nessbet, is believed to be derived from the parish of Ness in the island of Bute, Scotland. Other variations include Nisbett in Northumberland, England, Nesbitt, Nesbit, and Nisbet in Scotland, and Nisbythe in Yorkshire, England.
Today, the surname Nisbythe is still common throughout many countries. It is known as one of the oldest recorded surnames in the British Isles.
Famous people with the name Nisbythe
- Reynaldo Nisby: professional American football cornerback who is currently a free agent.
- Michael Nisby: American painter known for creating abstract works that portray a sensual, dreamlike quality.
- Edgar Nisby: NFL running back who played five seasons for the San Francisco 49ers between 1948 and 1951.
- Rae Nisby: notable film and television director who has directed episodes of Malcolm in the Middle, Desperate Housewives and My Name is Earl, as well as the film House of Wax.
- Michael Nisby Richman: a producer, director, screenwriter, and film editor who has worked on several Hollywood films including Disney’s Meet the Robinsons and Dreamworks’ I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.
- William G. Nisby: an American politician and businessman who held office as mayor of Decatur, Georgia.
- Alison Nisby: Canadian professional snowboarder and Olympic medalist who was part of the Canadian silver medal team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Amanda Nisby: British figure skating coach and former competitor who is best known for coaching Olympic medalist Nicholas LaRoche.
- George Nisby: an American jazz saxophonist and composer who played alongside musicians such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie.
- Richard Nisby: an English actor who has appeared in popular films such as The Mummy Returns and The Bourne Ultimatum.