Surname Neighbours - Meaning and Origin

Neighbours: What does the surname Neighbours mean?

The surname Neighbours is of English origin and is recorded in many forms including Neighbour, Neighbors and Neighbours. The name is an occupational name for someone employed as a neighbour, or a “neighbourly person” or someone who lives nearby. It is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century “nea”, meaning near, next, and “burh” meaning a fortified place and was given to a person who was a resident of a nearby town.

In medieval times, villages were small, and closer relationships such as those between family and neighbours, were very important. The term “good neighbour” had a special meaning during this time, and “Neighbour” was used to identify the close relationships between these people living in the same area.

Those with the Neighbours surname would, therefore, suggest that their family maintained close relationships with those living closely by. It reflects a tradition of good neighbourliness based on respect, and it is possible to see why this was a descriptive of those with the Neighbours surname.

Interestingly, the name Neighbours was given to John and Sarah Neighbors who were among the earliest settlers in the New World arriving in America in 1635. Whether they were related to the English Neighbours family is unknown, but it is certainly an interesting twist in the story.

Neighbours: Where does the name Neighbours come from?

The last name Neighbours is most commonly found in the United States today. It is of English origin, first appearing in the eastern areas of England in the early sixteenth century. Records show that it was particularly popular in the southeast counties of Kent and East Sussex. It is still most commonly found in England, particularly in Kent and Essex, although there is evidence of its spread to other parts of the United Kingdom.

It is also found in many parts of North America. The majority of people with the last name Neighbours in the United States appear to have arrived in the United States in the 1800s, usually as part of a family looking for a better life in a new country. The family would often spread out from their original point of entry in the east coast states, looking for work as manual laborers or farmers.

It is likely that the last name Neighbours is of French Huguenot origin, a protestant religious group that fled France during the religious persecution of the 1600s, particularly after the Edict of Nantes in 1598 was revoked. This edict was designed to promote religious tolerance in France, and when it was revoked, many protestants fled to England and the Americas.

The last name Neighbours is still found throughout the United States today, although it is most commonly found in the east coast states. It is also found in parts of Canada, particularly in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Manitoba.

Variations of the surname Neighbours

The surname Neighbours is one of the earliest recorded surnames and is derived from the Old French word “neighbours” meaning a close friend or neighbor. It is most commonly spelled as "Neighbours" in the English-speaking world but there are many other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Variants of Neighbours include Neighbor, Neiber, Neibors, Niabor, Neebors, Neibare, Nibor, Nabors, Neybors, Neipers, Neibore, Niebour, Neber, Naibert, Neibbert, Nabort, Nibort, Neebor, Neiper, Neepers, Nieper, Neiburger, Neiburg, Naberg, Nibbering, and Neavering.

English spellings include Neighbors, Neighbours, Nebours, Nebers, Nebers, and Niuddy.

French spellings include voisin, voisins, voisi, veysin, veysins, veysi, and veissin.

Portuguese spellings include Vizinha, Vizinhos, Vizinho, Veisinha, Veisinhos, Veizinho, Neves, Nevoa, Nevis, and Nieves.

German spellings include Nachbar, Nachbär, Nachbarin, Nachbarger, Nachberger, and Nabburg.

Italian spellings include Vizzino, Vizini, Viziero, Vicini, Vecino, and Vezzano.

Other surnames of the same origin include:

Leeb, Löffler, Naef, Neff, Neef, Neefs, Naefs, Näf, Najer, Neier, Nerger, Neite, Nev, Nivard, Niven, Nivert, Nivoit, Nivo, Nevot, Nivolet, Nevins, Naivet, Niveau, Noyer, Noor, Nyffenegger, and Nyfvater.

Famous people with the name Neighbours

• Alan Neighbours: American politician, former mayor of Beaverton, Oregon and former director of the Oregon Office for Innovation and Postsecondary Education at Oregon University System.
• John Neighbours: British television actor best known for his roles in the BBC television series, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Holby City and New Tricks.
• Tawny Kitaen: American film and television actress, most notably for appearing in the 1984 film Bachelor Party, alongside Tom Hanks.
• Kat Foster: American television actress, best known for her roles in ‘Til Death and The Class.
• Reggie Neighbours: American basketball player, who starred in the late 1990s television series Hang Time.
• Linda Neighbours: American author and businesswoman, who was named to the Forbes magazine list of America's richest women in 2002.
• Jermaine Neighbours: American hip hop artist, who has collaborated with artists such as Lil Wayne, T.I., and Rick Ross.
• Ahsaki Neighbours: American professional wrestler, who is well known for her time signed to Total Nonstop Action as well as performing in Mexico.
• Mary Anne Neighbours: American painter, best known for her floral art works, which often feature native flowering plants of Florida.
• Levin Neighbours: Scottish actor, best known for his role as Gavin in the BBC drama New Town.

Other surnames

Neighbors