Surname Nelleßen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'N'
Nelleßen: What does the surname Nelleßen mean?
Nelleßen is a German surname derived from the Old High German personal name Nello, a diminutive of the name Earlangelo, meaning “noble angel”. The name or nickname could be given to someone who had characteristics associated with noble angelic qualities, such as strength, faithfulness, or even a measure of wisdom.
The name may have originally been given as a nickname based on character traits, or it may have been given to a noble family of some kind. Alternatively, it might have been taken on as a toponymic surname, given to someone who lived near a lake or pond called Nello.
Nelleßen comes from the German suffix -sein, which is used to denote participation or association. The suffix was often used to construct patronymic names in the German-speaking world, with the family name reflecting the original bearer’s father or sometimes a rural area associated with that person.
In modern Germany, Nelleßen is usually found in the northern parts of the country. It is most common in the states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, and in the city of Berlin. The surname is not especially common, and only about 0.01% of the German population carries the name.
Overall, Nelleßen is a German surname coming from the Old High German name, Nello, meaning “noble angel”. It was originally used either as a nickname or as a patronymic surname, and is still found in modern Germany today.
Order DNA origin analysisNelleßen: Where does the name Nelleßen come from?
Nelleßen is a surname commonly found in Germany, where it is believed to have originated. It is more often spelled as Nellen or Nellessen in Germany and other countries where it is commonly found, such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and Austria. The name could have developed from the High German word “nellen,” which means “little bells.”
It is especially common in the Rhineland, a region along the Rhine river in Germany, and has spread to other countries in Europe such as Spain, Italy, and Sweden. In the United States, the last name is commonly found in the Midwest and Northeastern states, particularly in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The US Census Bureau reported that there were 4,898 people in the United States with the Nelleßen surname in 2019.
The Nelleßen family is believed to have arrived in the United States in the late 19th century. During that time, many people looking for better job and living conditions migrated to the US, particularly from Germany. The Nelleßen family played a significant role in the Midwest economy, primarily by establishing agricultural and lumber related businesses.
Today, the last name Nelleßen is still quite common in the United States, as well as in countries across Europe. It is likely due to the fact that the Nelleßen family has spread out and adapted to their new homelands. It will be interesting to see in the future if the Nelleßen family will be able to keep its legacy alive in their new homes.
Variations of the surname Nelleßen
Nelleßen is a surname derived from the Middle High German personal name Nelße, which in turn originates from the Old Germanic name Nelso. The variants of Nelleßen include Nelesen, Neleßen, Nelleßen, and Nelessen as well as the anglicized forms Nells and Nelzen.
Nelleßen, spelled with double 's' and double 'e', is the most common form of the surname, originating from Germany. The spelling with one 's' is most likely a Finnish variant, while the Nells and Nelzen are likely of English or Dutch origin.
One variant of the surname, Neleßen, is primarily found in England where it has been Anglicized from the original spelling. This form of the surname, which features double 's' and 'e', is thought to be a contraction of Nellessen, with 'essen' appended to indicate an occupational name.
Surnames that are derived from Nelleßen include Nells, Nelzen, Nelso, Nelesen, Nelleßen, and Neleßen. These are all forms of the same surname and share the same origin in the Middle High German personal name Nelße. While these names have slightly different spellings, they all indicate someone of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Nelleßen
- Grete Nelleßen: German actress and singer.
- Christian Nelleßen: German actor and theater director.
- Dagobert Nelleßen: German journalist and writer.
- Sabina Nelleßen: German philologist.
- Dieter Nelleßen: German footballer.
- Kristin Nelleßen: German actress.
- Christian Friedrich Nelleßen: German artist.
- Friedrich Wilhelm Nelleßen: German anatomist.
- Jürgen Nelleßen: German pianist and conductor.
- Theodor Nelleßen: German politician.