Surname Negeli - Meaning and Origin

Negeli: What does the surname Negeli mean?

Negeli is a patronymic surname that has European-Jewish origins, derived from the personal name Negil. It is thought to have been adapted from the nickname Nagel ("nail") which was given to a person who was as strong and as unyielding as a nail. This surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands, particularly in the urban areas of Rotterdam and The Hague.

This patronymic surname is commonly associated with the larger Cohen family, as a result of intermarriage among Jews of varying religious backgrounds in the early 19th century. The Cohen family is said to be descendants of the ancient priestly class in Israel, tracing back to Aaron, the brother of Moses. During this period, Amsterdam was a flourishing Jewish center, with a dense population of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews who often crossed religious lines in order to marry.

Negeli is part of a larger family of Jewish surnames that stem from the personal patronymic name Negil. It is an early form of ethnic identity formed in reaction to adverse historical events faced by Jewish populations in the Netherlands. Such events included the persecution of Jews by the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century, the expulsion of Jews from Spain in the late 15th century, and the institution of religious and economic restrictions on non-Christians through the Middle Ages.

Negeli is a reminder of the resilience and determination of the Jewish people, particularly in the face of their persecution throughout the centuries. Their creative way of adapting older names to new settings is a testament to their strong sense of identity and their commitment to their faith despite the various forms of discrimination they have faced in the past.

Negeli: Where does the name Negeli come from?

The surname Negeli is most commonly found in the Mediterranean region of Europe. Specifically, Negeli appears to be primarily found in Greece and Italy. According to research, the name is found most prominently in the southern region of Florence, Italy and in Greece on the islands Crete and Mykonos. With such a long and rich history, it is no surprise that the name Negeli is still a common surname in these areas.

The Negelis may have either Greek or Italian heritage, which makes sense considering the geographic proximity of these countries. This is also helped by the fact that the surname dates back to at least the 14th century. Over time, the Negeli’s have gone through many changes to their Italian and Greek spellings, as well as their pronunciations. Today, the surname Negeli is not as common as it once was, but it is still popular in Greece and Italy.

Other countries where Negelis are found include Romania, Bulgaria, France, and the United States. It is likely that those living in these countries are descendents of Macedonian and Greek Negelis that immigrated to find a better life elsewhere.

Though the surname Negeli is not as widespread as it once was, it can still be found in the countries that share a strong connection to its origin. These countries are likely to be home to the Negeli's for a very long time.

Variations of the surname Negeli

Negeli is a surname of Italian origin. It can also be spelled as Negele, Negelli, Negelio, and Negelia.

Negeli is sometimes seen in combination with other names, such as Negelio Bonucci, Negelia d'Angelo, and Negeli Manarelli. Additionally, it is occasionally combined with other surnames, such as Negeli Scardto, Negeli Ricci, and Negeli Mancini.

The Negeli surname is derived from the Italian word 'negelli' meaning 'blackbird'. It's possible that the name originated from a nickname for an ancestor; it may have been used either to describe the color of the person's eyes, hair, or skin, or to describe a particular personality trait or physical attribute in a positive way.

Other variants of Negeli include Negell, Negelle, Negel, Nigelle, Negheli, Neghelli, Negllo, and Nagele. Common surnames with the same origin as Negeli include Negro, Nirelli, Negrotta, Negritto, and Negrotto.

Negeli is an uncommon surname in Italy and is mainly found in northern Italy, particularly in the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, and Lombardi. This may be due to the fact that it is an older surname, as many of the modern variants have only been in use for a few centuries. However, Negeli can also be found in other parts of Europe, particularly in France, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal.

Famous people with the name Negeli

• Marco Negeli: Marco Negeli is an Italian-born businessman and entrepreneur who is the founder of a major software consulting firm. He also serves on the boards of the Italian Cultural Center and Leonessa e-Commerce.
• Lucio Negeli: Lucio Negeli is a Brazilian football player, currently playing for Liga Naive in the Campeonato Paulista, as a midfielder.
• Caio Negeli: Caio Negeli is a Brazilian football player, currently playing for Goias in the Campeonato Brasileiro, as a midfielder.
• Felipe Negeli: Felipe Negeli is a Brazilian football player, currently playing for Bento Gonçalves in the Campeonato Gaúcho, as a striker.
• Debora Negeli: Debora Negeli is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, who was the runner-up in the talent show PopStar 2021.
• Andrei Negeli: Andrei Negeli is a Romanian football player, currently playing for Rapid Bucuresti in the Liga I, as a forward.
• Gustavo Negeli: Gustavo Negeli is a Brazilian football manager, currently in charge of the club Avaí in the Campeonato Brasileiro.
• Julio Negeli: Julio Negeli is a Uruguayan football player, currently playing for Goias in the Campeonato Brasileiro, as a defender.

Other surnames

NegeleNegelein