Surname Nesbit - Meaning and Origin

Nesbit: What does the surname Nesbit mean?

The last name Nesbit is a habitational surname deriving from various places in Britain named Nesbit, Nesbitt, Nisbet, and Nisbitt. These places typically appear to have been named after the same river or area and derived from the Old Norse ‘nes’ meaning ‘headland’ and ‘bit’ meaning ‘small’.

The surname dates back to the 12th century when Geoffrey de Nesbyt was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1176. The name was also recorded as Nasbyt, Nesbet, Nesbett, and Neasbyt in other areas of Britain over the years.

Many Nesbits were early settlers in the United States, arriving in the late 1700s. Among these were Jacob and Rachel Nesbit who set up a homestead in Ohio in 1790, and by the 1820s, they had moved to Indiana. Over the years, the name has spread and variations of it can be found all over North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Nesbit family tree spans a long history and the surname continues to carry a proud legacy across many parts of the world. The family motto is ‘Nec Temere Nec Timide’ meaning ‘Without rashness, or without fear’, which exemplifies the family’s commitment to progressing with strength and courage.

Nesbit: Where does the name Nesbit come from?

Nesbit is a common surname originating in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is derived from the Old English Norse and Gaelic first name Asbiorn, which in Old English means "bear-cub". In Scotland, it can be found especially in the Borders region, and also in areas of Dumfries, Glasgow, and Levenshulme. In Ireland, the surname is most common in County Antrim, County Down, and County Tyrone.

In the United States, Nesbit is found primarily in the New England states of Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island. It is also found in Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Texas. According to the 2020 United States census, the surname is estimated to be used by roughly 15,000 individuals in the United States.

In England and Wales, Nesbit is primarily found in Yorkshire, Lancashire, East Anglia, Gloucestershire, and Kent. According to the ONS (Office of National Statistics) estimates from the 2020 census, the surname was estimated to be used by roughly 8,500 individuals in England and Wales.

Outside of the United Kingdom, Nesbit is most commonly found in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. In Canada, the most populous region is Ontario, followed by the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Though the name is found in many other countries, the concentration is relatively low.

Variations of the surname Nesbit

The surname Nesbit is derived from a place name originating in north-east England. It is also associated with a family of Anglo-Scottish descent who can trace their origins back to the year 1200.

Variants of Nesbit include Nesbitt, Nisbit, Nisbett, and Nesbett. Spellings of the name can range from Nesbeth and Nesbitt/Nisbet to Nesbet and Nesbeth/Nisbett.

The surname has also been adopted by other families over the years, leading to spellings such as Nisbett. Similarly, variant spellings include Nesbether, Nesbete, Nesbether, and Nesbettet.

In addition to the aforementioned variant spellings, there are other derivatives of the name, which may be present in family trees. In some cases, the surname has been adapted to a more localised version of the name with a different spelling and pronunciation. For instance, the name may be seen as Nesbehay, Nesbray, or Nesbury depending on where families with the surname have settled.

The surname is further established in Scotland under the spelling Nisbet. This version of the name is thought to be part of a kin group that has lived in Scotland since at least the 15th century. This group claims descent from Sir Gilbert de Nespit, a Crusader knight who returned home to Scotland after fighting in the Holy Land in the mid-twelfth century.

Other variant surnames derived from Nesbit include Niblock, Niblack, and Nyblakk. All these spellings point to a shared origin of the Nesbit name.

Thus, while Nesbit is an unmistakably recognizable name, there are a variety of spellings and surnames with the same origin. To trace one's ancestors, it is important to account for and record all possible variants.

Famous people with the name Nesbit

• E Nesbit: Edith Nesbit (1858–1924), English author of children's literature
• S Nesbitt: Sophie Nesbitt (born 1974), Canadian actress
• K Nesbitt: Kenneth Nesbitt (born 1959), diplomat, retired United States Navy admiral
• T Nesbitt: Thomas Nesbitt (born 1954), Canadian ice hockey player
• M Nesbitt: Mike Nesbitt (born 1961), Northern Irish politician
• F Nesbitt: Frances Nesbitt (born 1974), Irish former athlete
• C Nesbitt: Clifton Nesbitt (1890–1967), Brig. General of the U.S. Army
• P Nesbit: Peter Nesbit (born 1965), English artist
• R Nesbit: Robert Nesbit (c. 1880–1932), Canadian football executive
• D Nesbitt: David Nesbitt (born 1981), Australian-American actor

Other surnames

NesbithNesbitt