Surname Nißing - Meaning and Origin
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Nißing: What does the surname Nißing mean?
The last name Nißing is of German origin, derived from the old German word “Nissing” which in turn comes from the old Germanic word “Niss” meaning “hat” or “headwear”. It most likely refers to someone who was involved in the production and/or selling of hats. In medieval Europe, hats were something of a status symbol, often denoting a person's social standing and profession. The hat-making trade was therefore an important one and would have provided a significant source of income for a family.
In addition to being a surname, Nißing is also the name of a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is unknown whether the town or the surname came first, however it is likely that the town's name was derived from the surname.
Tracing its origins back to the Middle Ages, the Nißing surname is still found in Germany today, as well as in other countries with a significant German-speaking population. The variant spelling of the name, “Niessing”, has also become fairly common in the English-speaking world. Thus, the Nißing/Niessing name is evidence of a rich history of a family who originally specialized in the hat-making trade.
Order DNA origin analysisNißing: Where does the name Nißing come from?
Nißing is a German surname that is common mainly in Northern Germany, especially in the states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bremen. The name is concentrated in certain cities in the region, such as Bremen, Hamburg, Hannover, Osnabrück, and Oldenburg. It may also be found in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Central Europe.
Today, the name is quite common, with over 2900 people in Germany currently using it as a surname. It can also be found in the United States, Australia, and Canada among citizens of German origin. The name is also renowned in Germany, due to its association with Jürgen Nißing, a German screenwriter, director, and producer who worked with directors such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder and directors in the New German Cinema movement.
Although it is not easy to trace the exact origins of the name, it is believed to be derived from the German provincial name Nienhausen, a place located in a region of Westphalia. The meaning of Nißing is likely to be either “at the meadow of the Ni” or “at the field of the Ni.” The Ni part of the name is likely a reference to a man named Nihe, who used to live in Westphalia in the Middle Ages. Nißing is also a popular first name among modern Germans.
Variations of the surname Nißing
Nißing is a German surname derived from the personal name Nißo, which evolved from the Proto-Germanic *nithsoz meaning "bold and gentle". Originally, the surname was derived from the name of an ancestor, like many other German surnames. The variants of Nißing include Nitssing, Niß, Nissing, Nitzing, Niess and Niessig. Other spellings may also be encountered, such as Neesinck and Nizing.
In English-language contexts, the spellings of Nißing are typically adapted to Nissing, Nitzing, or Nitssing. The first of these is the most common and reflects both the original spelling of the name and its pronunciation in modern German. Although it is no longer common, some examples of the full Nißing spelling may still be encountered in countries where German was historically the predominant language.
Many different surnames are derived from the same root, including Nissen, Nichols, and Nicholls. Nitzsch, Nietz, Nithack, Netzke, Netz, and Nitsche are also related to Nißing. All of these surnames can be traced back to the name Nißo or variations thereof.
The surname Nißing is found most commonly in Germany, although it is also found in other countries where German migration was common, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite adaptations in spelling and use of other related surnames, the Nißing surname remains an important part of German culture and heritage.
Famous people with the name Nißing
- Martin Nißing: German football defender playing for VfL Wolfsburg.
- Jens Nißing: German author, satirist and philosophy professor.
- Stephen Nißing: German Philologist and Professor.
- Rolf Nißing: German saxophone and flute player and music director.
- Helmuth Nißing: German SS general and army officer during World War II.
- Wilfried Nißing: German Verdener office holder, scholar and publisher.
- Lore Nißing: German television presenter and actress.
- Peter Nißing: German agent and minister in the Federal Office for Roman Catholic religion and public culture.
- David Nißing: German football player for FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt.
- Johannes Nißing: German court librarian in Vienna.