Surname Nissen - Meaning and Origin

An Insightful Exploration Into My Lineage And the Etymology of My Surname Nissen Through iGENEA DNA Test

The iGENEA DNA test provided an enlightening insight into my lineage and surname, Nissen. The test’s accuracy and in-depth examination were remarkable, offering an unexpected connection to my family history and a practical sense of belonging that was previously surreal.

V. Nissen

Nissen: What does the surname Nissen mean?

The last name Nissen is of German and Scandinavian origin and broadly translates to 'son of Nisse' or 'son of Nicholas'. Nisse is an old Scandinavian diminutive of the name Nicholas, which is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people'.

In German-speaking areas, the surname Nissen is associated with a profession as many village and town names in Germany and nearby countries have 'Nissen' as descriptors of an area where a blacksmith or nail maker once lived or operated.

The surname is very common in Denmark, with the most found in the southern province of Schlesvig, which was, in the 16th and 17th centuries, part of the Danish kingdom. It is also prominent in the Netherlands and in northern Germany.

The commonality of the surname Nissen in German-speaking areas has led to the surname taking on a variety of spellings, including Neissen, Neis, Niesen, Nisen, Nissen and Nessen, as well as variations on the spelling.

In the United States, the number of people bearing the surname Nissen is relatively low when compared to other countries, with most having arrived in the late 19th or early 20th centuries from Europe. There are, however, significant instances of the surname in Nebraska and Iowa, where there are large communities of Danish and German immigrants.

Nissen: Where does the name Nissen come from?

The last name Nissen is most common today in Germany, Scandinavia, and the United States.

In Germany, the last name Nissen is the 49th most common surname. It is most closely associated with the northern region of Schleswig-Holstein, where it is the 11th most common surname. In much of the rest of the country, however, it is relatively uncommon.

In Scandinavia, Nissen is more prevalent, ranking as the 44th most common last name in Denmark and the 33rd most common name in Norway.

The United States is home to the largest population of Nissens with over 11,600 people having the last name. Nissen is especially prevalent throughout the Midwest and Mountain West, with the highest concentration in Minnesota.

The German origins of the Nissen name are likely responsible for its widespread presence across these countries and the United States. The family originated in the mid-16th century and grew quickly due to migration and population growth. Nissen family members founded numerous churches and parishes in Germany and Scandinavia, further contributing to the name’s popularity.

Tracing back to its German origin, the Nissen surname is now well established across much of the world, especially in the countries discussed above.

Variations of the surname Nissen

Nissen is a common surname of German, Danish, and Jewish origin. It is derived from the medieval German personal name, "Nisse", which is a shorter form of various names ending in "niz" such as Nikolaus. The most common spelling of this surname in its original German form is Nissen. Variants of the name include Nisson, Nyssen, and Nyssen.

In Denmark, the spelling of the surname is more likely to be Nyssen or Nisson, though these forms sometimes appear in other countries as well, especially in the U.S. There is also a variant, Nysen, which is more common in Norway.

The Jewish variant of the surname is typically spelled Nussen or Nussin. This spelling is particularly common among Ashkenazi Jews as it is derived from the Hebrew male given name "Naftali".

There are also several other spellings of the surname which are predominantly found in Eastern European countries such as Russia: Nisin, Nizon, Nizhnik, and Niżnik.

In addition to these spelling variants, there are also several different surnames of the same origin. In Germany it is known as Nisen and NIessen, while in Scandinavia the variants are Nissenholdt, Nissenholm, Nicolin, and Nielsen.

Finally, there are several other surname variants that do not appear to be directly related to Nissen, but may have emerged from similar roots. These include Nisson, Nizan, Nison, Nishon, and Nishant.

Famous people with the name Nissen

• Kay Nissen: a Norwegian documentary film maker
• Itai Nissen: an Israeli-Norwegian musician and composer
• Bjarne Nissen: a Norwegian politician, former Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Tim Nissen: an American producer and director
• Carl Nissen: an Australian rules footballer
• Eva Nissen: a Danish stage actress, writer, and comedian
• Wilhelm Nissen: a Norwegian painter
• Herbert Nissen: a German Table Tennis player
• Kåre Nissen: a Norwegian entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Bent Nissen: a Danish footballer
• Anika Nissen: a Danish singer and songwriter
• Anna Nissen: a Danish actress
• Arne Nissen: a Norwegian politician
• Conrad Nissen: an Australian rules footballer
• Greg Nissen: an American feature filmmaker
• Knut Nissen: a Norwegian chemist, Professor of Organic Chemistry
• Morten Nissen: a Danish artist and former singer in the Scandinavian rock band ME
• Troels Nissen: a Danish athlete and Olympic bobsledder
• Peter Nissen: a Danish racing cyclist
• Tor Nissen: a Norwegian cross-country skier

Other surnames

NisseNisselNisselerNisser