Surname Nellissen - Meaning and Origin
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Nellissen: What does the surname Nellissen mean?
The last name Nellissen is of Dutch origin. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name, in this case that of a Nel. This personal name is a form of the old Dutch name Nellen, which in turn is a diminutive of Petronella, derived ultimately from Peter, the 'rock' - a reference to Jesus christ in the Bible.
The name Nellissen thus translates to 'son of Nel'. It is also thought to have a link to the Old German name Neiland, similar in meaning.
Nellissen is most common in the southern Dutch provinces, particularly in Limburg, and is thought to have been established there by Dutch migrants during the 15th and 16th century.
The last name Nellissen is carried by several prominent people, including Dutvh politician Gert Nellissen and New Zealand light artist Rueben Nellissen, showing the broad appeal of the surname beyond its place of origin.
Ultimately, the last name Nellissen is believed to be derived from the Dutch personal name Nel, a diminutive form of Peter. It is most popular in the Dutch province of Limburg, where it is believed to have originated during the 15th and 16th centuries. Despite this, it is now carried by many people across the globe, from the fields of politics to the field of art, a testament to its universally acknowledged appeal.
Order DNA origin analysisNellissen: Where does the name Nellissen come from?
Nellissen is a Dutch family name common today in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The Dutch form is usually Nellissen or Nellessen while the German form is commonly spelled Nellessen or Nellisse.
Nellissen is first recorded in Utrecht in 1533, when Hermanni Nellisen is recorded as belonging to the local nobility. The name is likely derived from a place in the Netherlands called Neel, which is a village in the nearby province of North Brabant. In Dutch, the ending -sen originates from the suffix -s, which was commonly used to indicate a patronymic name.
Over the centuries, the Nellissen family spread through the Netherlands and into Belgium and Germany. By the 19th century, it had become a popular family name for many Dutch families. In contemporary records, there are approximately 1,000 people with the Nellissen last name living in the Netherlands and an additional 400 living in Germany.
Today, the Dutch spelling Nellissen is still more common in the Netherlands while the German spelling Nellesisse is more commonly used in Germany. It is still a relatively common family name in both countries, especially among older generations.
Variations of the surname Nellissen
The surname Nellissen is of Dutch origin and is found most frequently in Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia. Variants include Nelissen, Nelissens, van Nellissen, van Nelissen, and Nelliessen. The spelling of the surname can also be slightly altered, such as Nellissene, Nellissens, Nellessen, Nellesen, Nelesen, and Nelsen.
The history of this surname traces back to the 11th century when Dutch society adopted hereditary surnames. The surname Nellissen is derived from the Irish personal name 'Niall', which was Anglicized to Neal. The suffix -sen denoted the patronymic, meaning son of Neal, and evolved overtime to produce the modern form of Nellissen.
Variations of the surname can be found in other languages and cultures too. For example, in German it can be found as Nellessen or Nellesen, in Spanish as Nealesen, and in Flemish as Nelessen.
Other surnames of the same origin include Nieland, Niles, Niels, Nietzsche, Nielson, and Nyland. Variations on these names include Nilsen, Nylund, Neilson, Nilsdottir, Nilsson, and Nieforth.
Regardless of the spelling or language in which it is written, the surname Nellissen is a unique and interesting piece of one's heritage that often reveals a great deal about one's past and where they come from.
Famous people with the name Nellissen
- Carrie Nellissen: Former Miss Universe New Zealand
- Jeroen Nellissen: Dutch footballer
- Kay Nellissen: German athlete specializing in women’s shot put
- Joany Nellissen: Dutch professional basketball player
- Chantal Nellissen: Former Dutch gymnast
- Marius Nellissen: Former Belgian footballer
- Nicole Nellissen: Irish figure skater
- Melissa Nellissen: Belgian water polo player
- Danique Nellissen: Dutch handball player
- Rob Nellissen: Former Dutch snowboarder