Surname Neffgen - Meaning and Origin
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Neffgen: What does the surname Neffgen mean?
The surname Neffgen is of German origin, and its meaning is derived from two words – “nehmen” and “gen” – which together roughly translate to “to take” and “from.” It is a topographical name, meaning that it was used to refer to someone who lived near a geographic feature or landmark. It may have been used to describe someone who lived near a steep hill or ravine, where it was necessary to climb a considerable distance to reach the top. It can also indicate that the person lived near a source of water, such as a creek or river.
Neffgen may have been originally used as a nickname, to distinguish one individual from another who had some characteristic that was deemed to be “taking” or “from” something. This could be a number of things, such as a name, a hairstyle, a piece of clothing, or something else. Therefore, if a person had a reputation for “taking” or “from” something, they may have been referred to as “Neffgen.”
The Neffgen surname is still used today by families living in Germany, the United States, and elsewhere. In the United States, there are almost 900 people with the name, although their exact origins are generally unknown. Regardless, it is likely that many of these Neffgen are descended from individuals who originally held the surname in Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisNeffgen: Where does the name Neffgen come from?
The last name Neffgen is most commonly found in Germany, though variations of the name such as Neffen, Neff, and Neffgünter can also be found in some other parts of Europe as well.
In Germany, Neffgen is most prevalent in the states (Bundesländer) of Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria. Based on the 2016 census, Neffgen is among the top 1000 most common surnames in several of Germany’s larger cities, including Cologne, Essen, and Munich. In the majority of these areas, Neffgen is considered to be a fairly common last name.
The surname Neffgen is believed to derive from the German word “nacht”, meaning “night.” It is thought that the name first appeared in the late Middle Ages, most likely in the region of former Westphalia, when surnames first started to be adopted.
Neffgen is not as common outside of Germany, though it can occasionally be found in countries such as France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the Neffgen name is almost non-existent. The US Census Bureau does not show any Neffgen's in their list of the top 1000 names in the United States.
Overall, the last name Neffgen is most common in Germany and is found in a few other parts of Europe. However, in other parts of the world such as the United States, Neffgen is virtually non-existent.
Variations of the surname Neffgen
The surname Neffgen can have several different variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These could be phonetic variations, or else versions of the name passed on through different branches of the same family.
The most common spelling of the name is Neffgen, but there are also variants that could be spelled as Nefgen or Nafgen.
In addition, some branches of the Neffgen family may have variant surnames of the same origin. These could include Maffgen, Neffgens, Naffgen, or Naefgen. While not as common, some people may also use a form of the spelling, such as Naefgeen or Nefgen. They may also go a step further and spell the name as Neffgenne or Naefgenne.
In addition, some families may have surnames of the same origin, but that are now slightly different. These could include the German Neffgens, Neffgenne, or even the Dutch Nefgen.
Other variants that are similar but not exact matches for the name Neffgen include Neufgen, Nefgen, Neifgen, Neuwgens, and Nuwgens.
Finally, other surnames of the same origin could be Maffgen, Neffgenne, Naffgen, or Naefgen. These are all variants of the Neffgen surname, but they may be used by different branches of the same family or geographical location.
Famous people with the name Neffgen
- Hildegard Neffgen: German author, who won the 1989 Bremen Literature Prize.
- Jakob Neffgen: 16th–17th century Jesuit Reformist.
- Sherry Neffgen: American comedian, actress, and writer.
- William Neffgen: 20th century mathematician.
- G.P Neffgen: British professor of mathematics.
- August Neffgen: late 19th–early 20th century German civil engineer.
- Ernst Neffgen: 20th century German historian.
- Melvin Neffgen: 19th–20th century US Air Force soldier.
- Staci Neffgen: British sprint canoeist.
- Alfred G. Neffgen: US Army soldier in World War I
- Mary Neffgen: 20th–21st century artist and designer.
- Kathleen Neffgen: US professor of communications
- Walter Neffgen: 20th century German philologist and literary scholar
- Robert Neffgen: 20th century German historian.
- Gail Neffgen: American singer and actress.
- Christopher Neffgen: American actor and producer.