Surname Nans - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'N'
Nans: What does the surname Nans mean?
The last name Nans is an interesting and varied one, with a few potential origins. It has been suggested that the name could stem from the Old English word ‘nan’, meaning ‘poor’. As such, a family with this surname could be descended from someone who was poor or of a low social status. Alternatively, the last name could be derived from the Old Norse ‘nanns’, meaning ‘unmerciful’. This implication could be that the proverbial family with this surname were either known for being quite strict or uncompromising, or even that they had a reputation as being quite rapacious.
The name Nans may also have its roots in the Old English ‘neah’, meaning ‘near’. This could refer to the family residing close to another place, such as a physical landmark or a notable house. The implication also remains that they may have nearby relatives, either by blood or by marriage.
Finally, the last name Nans could stem from the Old German ‘nan’, which is believed to mean ‘strong’. This meaning suggests that those with the surname Nans have genealogies stretching back to strong and brave ancestors who were known for their strength both mentally and physically.
It can thus be seen that the interesting last name Nans could have various origins, and its historical meaning remains unknown. All we can definitively say is that whatever its origins, it exudes an air of strength and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisNans: Where does the name Nans come from?
The surname Nans is of German or French origin. It is commonly found today in Europe, particularly in France, Belgium, and Germany, as well as in Canada and the United States.
In France, the name is most commonly found in the regions of Norman and Lorraine. In Belgium, it is commonly found in the Flemish region. Nans is also widespread in Germany, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In Canada, Nans is fairly common in the province of Quebec, and in some other parts of Canada, such as New Brunswick and Ontario. It is also found in the United States, where it is most common in states such as Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Nans is a traditional name, usually associated with nobility in Europe. It is also seen as an occupational name, since some ancestors who had acquired it had been farmers or laborers. In France, for example, the Nans were known to have been agriculturalists in the early 1700s.
The name has been around for centuries, with its first written reference dating back to the 14th century. It was assumed by various families across Europe with different surnames such as Neans (Flanders), Nauns (Germany), Nanns (Rhineland), Nains (Norman), and Nains (Lorraine). The name continues to be quite popular today, with its roots firmly based in the history of various countries across Europe.
Variations of the surname Nans
Nans is a common surname with several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common original spelling is Nans, but other variations can be found in different countries.
Common alternative spellings of Nans include Nance, Nantz, Naunce, Nawnce, Nawnse, Nanse, Nauns and Nanz. Some of these alternative spellings may have slight alterations in the pronunciation.
In France, the variants Nancé and Nangé are also popular, while in Germany it is sometimes spelled as Naunz or Naunziger. In the United States, the spelling Naunce is also commonly used.
Surnames related to Nans with the same origin include Nanson, Nantel, Nantelle, Nantha, Nanthan, Nantri, Nantez, Nandez, Nandes and Nanet.
Nans is a toponymic surname deriving from various places called Nans in France, such as Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne and Nans-les-Pins. The root of the name is the Gallic nando-, which means “valley”, so it is likely that these place names refer to a valley, ravine or other low-lying area. The suffix -ans may derive from the Latin word ansa, which means “corner”.
Overall, the surname Nans has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin that can be found across the world.
Famous people with the name Nans
- Jasmine Nans: Lebanese chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author.
- Georges Nans: French actor, director, and television presenter.
- Henri-Joseph Nans: French composer, conductor, and violinist.
- Tony Nans: Belgian professional football player.
- Robert Nans: French politician who served as mayor of Quimper from 1971 to 1995.
- Alfred Nans: German journalist who served as a wartime censor for certainiodiczern publications.
- J.D. Nans: American lawyer and the first president of the California State Bar General Court Records.
- Jacques Nans: French politician who represented the department of Calvados in the National Assembly.
- Marie-Claude Nans: French historian and scholar, specializing in women’s history.
- Luc Nans: Belgian professional cyclist, who is best known for his World Cup mountain biking career.