Surname Nisely - Meaning and Origin
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Nisely: What does the surname Nisely mean?
The surname Nisely is of Swiss-German origin, derived from the Swiss place name 'Nussloch' which literally translates to 'nut hole' in English. The surname may have been given to individuals or families living near a notable nut tree, perhaps indicating their occupation or trade involving nuts. Sometimes, surnames also derived from a person’s house sign, which in medieval times was often an object rather than numbers as we use today. It is therefore possible that the Nusloch/ Nusli/ Nisely house had a sign showing a nut tree or a nut. It is important to note that the spelling variations of this surname include Nisley, Nussli, Nüssli, Nussly, Nüsli, Nusly, and more, all depending on regional dialects and phonetic translations. Like many surnames that derived from geographical or occupational trademarks, the exact meaning and origin of the name can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint. Nevertheless, it is clear that the name Nisely carries historical significance linking back to Swiss-German ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisNisely: Where does the name Nisely come from?
The last name Nisely is most commonly found in North America, primarily the United States and Canada, though it can also be found in small numbers in other parts of the world. The United States is home to the largest concentration of Nisely families, with Pennsylvania ranking as the top state in which people with the last name Nisely reside.
The name is thought to be German in origin, stemming from the old German word "nisse," meaning "spirit" or "fairy," combined with the suffix "ley" indicating a clearing in the woods. It is possible that the first Niselys to settle in North America were Huguenots who left Europe in the 1600s to escape religious persecution.
Today, the Niselys continue to be a tight-knit family and many remain close to their ancestral roots in Pennsylvania and other states. Some members may have migrated to other parts of the United States or Canada, but many still call Pennsylvania their home. As a result, several small reunions are held in Pennsylvania each year, where members of the Nisely clan can gather and reconnect with one another.
Variations of the surname Nisely
The surname Nisely is derived from the German word "nise" which translates as "nice" or "friendly". Variants of the surname include Nisley, Nisly, Niezly, Neisley, and Neisly. Some other spellings of the name include Nysley, Nysly, Niesley, Niesly, Niezley, and Niezly.
The surname Nisely has a long history in the United States, with records of individuals by this surname dating back to the late 1700s. During the 19th century, many German emigrants came to the US from the region of Prussia bearing the name Nisely, and they settled mainly in the Midwestern states.
Today, the surname Nisely is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, but there are still many Nisely families living in other states across the US. There are also a small number of Nisely families living in Canada.
The surname Nisely is also found in Germany, where it is usually spelled NIezLY or NEisLY. This variation is likely due to the fact that German spelling conventions have changed somewhat over the centuries.
In addition to these variants, there are a number of other surnames that have the same origin as Nisely. These names include Neisel, Nisel, Nies, Niss, Ness, Neiß, Nece, Neese, Nazel, Neuzil, and Neys. All of these surnames share the same root and have the same meaning: "nice" or "friendly".
Famous people with the name Nisely
- Christopher Nisely: Christopher Nisely is an American actor, director, independent film producer, and activist. He has appeared in various films, including “John Wick”, “Deadgirl”, “BIT”, “The Rewrite”, and “The Art of Steal”.
- Chantel Nisely: Chantel Nisely is an American fashion designer, model, and actress. She is known for her own clothing line, which she launched in 2014.
- Ray Nisely: Ray Nisely is an American professional baseball outfielder who played in the Major Leagues from 1982 to 1993. He was a two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award recipient.
- Ian Nisely: Ian Nisely is an American animator, illustrator, and director. He has worked on multiple television series, including “King of the Hill”, “Futurama”, and “Hey Arnold!”
- Emily Nisely: Emily Nisely is an American musician and singer. She has released two albums, “Lines in the Sand” and “Vessel of Change”.
- John Nisely: John Nisely is an American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1965 to 1970.
- Laura Nisely: Laura Nisely is an American author who has written books on parenting and family life.
- Dan Nisely: Dan Nisely is an American comedian, actor, and writer. He has worked on television shows such as “Rules of Engagement” and “The Office”.
- Brenda Nisely: Brenda Nisely is an American interior designer and author. She is the author of “Creating the Wow Factor: Fabulous Home Decorating Ideas on Any Budget”.
- Dmitri Nisely: Dmitri Nisely is an American professional BMX racer who competes in BMX Racing and Freestyle BMX disciplines.