Surname Nißel - Meaning and Origin

Nißel: What does the surname Nißel mean?

The last name Nißel is a German-language patronymic surname that likely originated in the Saxony area of Germany. The name is thought to come from an old German personal name or nickname derived from the German word "nis" or "nisch," a term used for a skilled craftsman or tradesman.

Nissel began being used to refer to a person of that profession during the Middle Ages and quickly became a surname. Over time, it evolved into Nißel, which is the spelling that is used today by descendants of the Nißel family.

Nißel is now relatively common throughout Germany, the German-speaking Swiss cantons, Austria, and some other parts of Europe. Within Germany, it is most common in the areas of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Tenne-Rhine-Westphalia_.

The coat-of-arms of the Nißel family contains a wheel and an anchor. The wheel is likely a symbol of the craftsman nature of the family’s history, and the anchor perhaps symbolizes stability and safety which the family likely sought. It is possible that in some cases the Nißel coat-of-arms has undergone additional changes to suit the regional tastes of the family at the time, such as heraldic symbols representing the family’s home area or colors chosen to match the flags of countries in which the family served or lived.

Overall, the last name Nißel has a strong historical meaning, with roots in craftsmanship dating back to the Middle Ages. The Nißel family has since spread far beyond the Saxony region of Germany to many other parts of the world.

Nißel: Where does the name Nißel come from?

The last name Nißel is primarily found in Germany. It is believed to have originated in the eastern Bavarian-Bohemian border regions of the state of Bavaria. It was likely first used as a surname in the late 1700s or early 1800s.

The name Nißel is relatively uncommon in other parts of the world. There are some records of the name showing up in countries like Austria, Switzerland, and the United States, but in these areas, it often appears as the anglicized version of the name, ‘Nissel’. The name is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and some trace it to back to its use as an occupational name for a personal servant.

Today, the Nißel surname is still quite common in Germany. According to the Stanat-Melderegisterauskunft, a database of surnames and geographic distributions in Germany, it is for the most part concentrated in the states of Bavaria and Berlin. It is a very popular name in a few towns and cities in these states. The name is significantly less common in other parts of Germany, as well as in other countries, making it a relatively unique surname.

Variations of the surname Nißel

Nißel is a surname of German origin which has many variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin. These include: Niessel, Nesel, Neßel, Nösel, Nüßel, Nüssel, Nisel, Nyßel and Nietzel.

Niessel is a spelling of the same surname and is believed to come from the Middle High German word nisel meaning 'little one' or 'petite.' It could be an affectionate term used for a beloved child, and thus it is possible that Niessel was originally a nickname for an endearing individual.

Nesel is another variant of the Nißel surname which is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word nise, meaning 'sing.' It could be referring to someone who sang, possibly a minstrel or bard, and thus the Nesel surname could have derived from a professional occupation.

Neßel is another spelling of the same German surname, which could indicate a place of origin as it is derived from the Middle High German word nessel, meaning nettle. It could have originally referred to someone who lived near a stretch of nettles, or who was known for adhering to a strict moral code, as nettle was also associated with justice.

Nösel is believed to come from the Middle High German word nusse meaning nut. It likely originally referred to someone who was able to crack nuts, or was noted for their wisdom, since nuts were historically associated with knowledge.

Nüßel is another variant of the Nißel surname, believed to derive from the Middle High German word nusse meaning nut. As with Nösel, it likely refers to someone who was able to crack nuts, or who was noted for their wisdom and knowledge.

Nüssel and Nisel are different spellings of the same German surname, both believed to come from the Middle High German word nusse meaning nut.

Nyßel is a spelling variant of the Nißel surname and is likely a derivative of the Middle High German word nuss meaning nut.

Finally, Nietzel is another spelling of the Nißel surname and is likely derived from the Middle High German word neuzel, meaning 'little new one.' It could have many possible meanings, ranging from an affectionate term for a cherished child, to someone who had just arrived in a village and was described as 'the new one.'

Famous people with the name Nißel

• Birgit Nissen, a German singer and television star.
• Erwin Nissen, a German-born American rower who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• Gerhard Nissen, a German former footballer with 53 matches playing for FC Schalke 04.
• Johannes Nissen, a former Danish goalkeeper in the sport of association football.
• Detlev Nissen, a German television presenter.
• Karl Nissen, a Norwegian actor, director and screenwriter.
• Volker Nissen, a German former football player.
• Paul Nissen, a Norwegian bobsledder who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
• Hans Nissen, a German writer and producer.
• Jörg Nissen, a footballer who played for the German national team.

Other surnames

Nißeler