Surname Nau - Meaning and Origin
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TITLE: Exploring the Past: How my iGENEA DNA Test Transformed Understanding of Nau Ancestors
Discovering my ancestry through an iGENEA DNA test has been an enlightening journey. This exploration into the past has brought forth unexpected insights about my Nau lineage, transforming my understanding of who I am and where I come from in profound ways.
Z. Nau
read moreNau: What does the surname Nau mean?
The last name Nau is both a German and Dutch name that originates from a form of the personal name “Walter”, in German “Walter” becomes “Wolkert” and in Dutch “Walther” or “Wooldrik” and means “rule” or “power”. The name was then changed to Nau, “naauw” or “nenauw”.
The name has seen various spellings throughout the years, from Naul to Noul and the root of the name is the same for all variations - Naul, Noul, Nouw and Nau.
The spelling of Nau shows great generational diversity and those with the surname can be found in the U.S., France, Germany, Netherlands, Austro-Hungary and Scandinavia, but the highest concentration of the Nau surname is in the Netherlands where it is thought to have originated.
Naus can also be found in the British Isles, suggesting that Dutch immigrants arrived in Britain at some point. The surname was taken when these immigrants settled in Britain and adopted British spelling conventions.
The name Nau is particularly indicative of individuals of Dutch and German descent. Those with the surname often share some of the same traits such as an industrious sense of work ethic, an appreciation for tradition, stability and family ties (often evidenced by them keeping the same family name for centuries).
Order DNA origin analysisNau: Where does the name Nau come from?
The surname Nau is common in many parts of the world today, with its origins stemming from a variety of countries and cultures.
In Europe, Nau is most commonly found in Germany. Records show that there are currently over 13,600 people living in Germany with the surname Nau. In France, the name is also common with around 1,300 people bearing the name. Records also show a few thousand people also living in Belgium with the surname.
In America, particularly in the United States, the surname Nau is fairly common. Immigrants from Europe have brought the surname to the U.S. around the mid-1800s. Currently, over 7,000 people living in the United States have the surname Nau.
Other countries in which the surname is prominent are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil.
In Asia, the name is most commonly found in the Philippines, where there are over 2,000 people with the surname. The surname is also common in the Indian states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Based on the records available, it is safe to conclude that the surname Nau is a global family name that is highly prominent in many countries across the world.
Variations of the surname Nau
The surname Nau is of German origin, with variants and spellings such as Now, Noh, Nohow, Nove, Naw, Noow, Nowe, Nowe, Nop, Noph, Nopf, Nöfe, Nöffen, Noffen, and Nöpff. It is also found in some cases of French origin, spelled Neau, Nouh, Nou, Neu, Noue, Neou, Nove, Noh, Noau, and Neaux.
The surname is a habitational name, derived from places called Nowe or Nove, which were derived from the Old German word “nouw”, meaning “new” or “recently settled land”. In the medieval period, many such names were formed, giving rise to the surnames seen today.
Common variants of the Nau surname include Nowak, Nawrocki, Nowicki, Nauczyciel, Nouveau, Nowoczin, Noorman, Nauert, Nave, and Novak. In some branches of the family, the surname has become anglicized into “New” or “Nye”.
In non-Germanic countries, there are several alternative spellings and variants that have arisen from the original German version of the name. These include Neau (French), Náu (Hungarian), Navas (Spanish), Naf (Italian), and No (Slavic).
The name is still found today in many countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, Slovenia, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is also found in the United States, Canada, and other countries in which German immigrants settled.
Famous people with the name Nau
- Jimmy Nau: American international sport shooter.
- Albert Nau: German neuroanatomist and neurologist.
- Werner Nau: German film actor.
- Ed Nau: American lawyer, scholar and advocate on intellectual property issues.
- Heidi Nau: Swiss cross-country skier.
- Tom Nau: American professional baseball player.
- Wally Nau: German football player.
- André Nau: French figure skater.
- Daniel Nau: German opera, Oratorio and Concert singer.
- Tracey Nau: Australian artist and entrepreneur.