Surname Nüßle - Meaning and Origin

Nüßle: What does the surname Nüßle mean?

Nüßle is a German surname that has various spellings, including Nuessle, Nussle, and Nuesslein. It is believed to have originated in the region of Swabia in Germany, which is now part of Bavaria.

The meaning and origin of the name is disputed, but it is thought to come from the Bavarian word nues and the diminutive of the German word elle, meaning a nut or little nut. This would mean that the last name is translated as meaning “from the nut” or “of the nut”.

The first recorded usage of the name Nüßle was in 1307 in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Records show that the Nüßle family had spread throughout Germany by the 15th century, with members having settled in many different towns and cities, such as Berlin, Leipzig, and Frankfurt.

The name is still common in Germany today, with approximately 3,175 people bearing the name. It is also seen in parts of the United States, particularly in the Midwest. There are currently an estimated 776 people living in the US with the last name of Nüßle.

In terms of its present day meaning, Nüßle represents a connection to the past and to Germanic culture and history, as well as a connection to Bavarian culture and language. It is a reminder of how nomadic people and families moved around the world centuries ago, from one place to another.

Nüßle: Where does the name Nüßle come from?

Nüßle is a German surname originating from the personal name Nuss or Germanic Nothuz. The name is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the southwestern region. Nüßle is also a common surname in Austria and Switzerland.

In Germany, the name Nüßle is especially common in the southwest, particularly in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Rheinland-Pfalz. In Baden-Württemberg, 34,262 people had the last name in 2019. This made it the 45th most common name in the state. Bavaria also had a sizable number of Nüßles in 2019, with 35,138 people recorded as having the surname. Rheinland-Pfalz had 15,344 individuals with the name Nüßle recorded in 2019.

In Austria, the name Nüßle is fairly widespread but is most common in Vienna and the surrounding areas. Data from 2019 showed that 3,244 people living in Austria had the last name, with 2,179 living in Vienna alone.

Switzerland also has a large population of people with the name Nüßle. In 2019, the surname was most commonly found in Zurich, with 518 individuals living in the city and a total of 1,063 people in Switzerland living with the surname.

Overall, Nüßle is a popular last name in German-speaking countries. Although it has roots in Germany, it is common in other countries, namely Austria and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Nüßle

Nüßle is a German surname with its roots in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German phrase "nuseler," meaning "noisy" or "rallying." Though it does not have any exact English equivalent, the closest equivalent would be "hubbub." The surname is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the surrounding countries, but also can be found in parts of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

Variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Nüßle include Nußle, Naßle, Neßle, Nässel, Nässle, Näßle, Nessel, Nessle, Nesseler, Nasseler, Nassler, Neseler, Nesseler, Nesser, and adjusted variants such as Nessele, Nosel, Nassel, Nuesslein, Naessle, Nassoli, Nesoli, Nesserl, Nueßler, Naßler, Nußler, Naßen, Nußen etc.

Despite its apparent lack of relevance to English culture, Nüßle is believed to have originally been a nickname in English culture. In English, "noise" was commonly used as a nickname among peasants, describing an individual who was noisy, had a “chatty” personality, or was an otherwise noisy individual. This nickname likely carried over into Germanic cultures with the German Peasant Revolt, when peasants fled Germany and parts of the Holy Roman Empire, spreading the nickname to other parts of Europe. As a result, variants such as Nüßle and Neßle (“noise-man”) and other derivatives of “noiseler” were born – though as it continued to spread geographically, the spelling changed.

Famous people with the name Nüßle

• Christine Nüßle: politician and Member of the Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin
• Edzard Nüßle: German Pediatrician
• Gerhard Nüßle: engineer and Head of the Central Development Unit at Heidelberg
• Otto Nüßle: musicologist and Professor of Music Education
• Monica Nüßle: actress and voice actress
• Friedrich Nüßle: Austrian poet and playwright
• Werner Nüßle: professional footballer and German national team member
• Bernard Nüßle: engineer and expert in process automation
• Michael Nüßle: academic, novelist, and essayist
• Eberhard Nüßle: football player and winner of the FIFA World Cup in 1966
• Karl Nüßle: Olympic fencer
• Johannes Nüßle: German geographer and specialist on tropical regions
• Wilhelm Nüßle: political and religious leader
• Erwin Nüßle: swimmer and winner of two Summer Olympic medals
• Hedwig Nüßle: artist and medievalist
• Maximilian Nüßle: Austrian skier and first man to win three gold medals in downhill skiing at the Olympic Games
• Rudolf Nüßle: footballer and winner of the 1932 German national championship
• Antonia Nüßle: historian and professor at the University of Hamburg
• Wilhelm Nüßle: Count Palatine by the Rhine and renowned chemist
• Emil Nüßle: alpine skier and Olympic ski champion

Other surnames

NüßleinNüßler