Surname Niebergall - Meaning and Origin
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Niebergall: What does the surname Niebergall mean?
The last name Niebergall is of German origin and is composed of “Nieder” meaning “German Lowlands” and “GALL” meaning “to roll” or “to turn over”. Therefore, the surname Niebergall is translated to mean "one who turned (rolls) over from or of the German Lowlands".
The name first appeared in records in the 1700s in Prussia, which is located in what is now northern Germany. The surname was likely derived from an ancestor who lived in Prussia and had a characteristic habit of rolling himself into different places.
When it comes to immigrant settlers to the United States, the surname appears in the census records as early as the 1840s in Pennsylvania and 1854 in Wisconsin. By the 1900s, members of the Niebergall family had settled in Nebraska and North Dakota as well.
The Niebergalls have found an active religious life in their new home and have a history of being involved in the peace movements as well as various farmer and labor unions. The Niebergalls have proudly served in the military in many conflicts including World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, and countless others.
Today, the surname Niebergall can be found across the globe. Despite their German roots, people with this name have made a name for themselves in many different countries, cultures, and professions. Most notably, they are members of the scientific community, the legal field, and the academic realm. No matter where they are found, all families bearing the name have made a committment to leave their mark on the world.
Order DNA origin analysisNiebergall: Where does the name Niebergall come from?
The last name Niebergall is most commonly found in parts of Germany and the US today.
In Germany, it is concentrated in the northern and western parts of the country. The Prussian provinces of Westphalia and Hanover are the two main locations with the highest concentration. In the US it is quite uncommon, but is mainly known in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions, from states such as Minnesota to Montana.
The name is probably of Germanic origin dating back to early medieval times, likely referring to one who lives in a home or village of a prominent individual or family, i.e. one who is a member of a noble estate. It is quite likely that the surname has its roots in a Proto-Germanic word, as is the case with many Germanic and Nordic surnames.
The name has been spelled in many forms throughout its history, including Niebergall, Nieberg, Nieberger, Nibeber, Nibur, Nibberg and Neburg. It is not known exactly when the earliest Niebergall by the name appeared, but records indicating its use in present-day Germany date back to the 14th century.
The Niebergall name is derived largely of Germanic origin, so it is not surprising to find it mainly in Germany and the US. Those with the name today can trace their roots back to these two countries.
Variations of the surname Niebergall
The surname Niebergall has many variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the same origin. These include Nebbergall, Nebergal, Neibergall, Niebargel, Niebergall, Nibarger, Niebergel, Niebur, Nieburger, Niebuhr, Niebusch, Nieckel, and Niborgel.
The surname Niebergall is German in origin and is derived from several Middle High German words such as “nie” meaning “not”, “berg” meaning “hill or mountain”, and “gall” meaning “strange” or “stranger”. The surname Niebergall most likely originated from a place name, as it is a combination of “not” combined with some landscape features.
Three primary branches of the Niebergall surname are found throughout Germany, with a few also in the United States. Variants of Niebergall are also found in Switzerland and Austria. The variants of Niebergall found in the United States include Niebarger, Niebergall, Nieburger, Niebuhr, and Niborgel.
In Europe, variations of the Niebergall surname are typically spelled with one “g” while those in the United States are typically spelled with two “g”s. This difference may be attributed to differences in spelling conventions between the two regions.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of Niebergall vary depending on the country and region in which they are found. However, all of them are derived from the same Middle High German roots, and many of them have a similar meaning.
Famous people with the name Niebergall
- John Niebergall: U.S. lawyer and judge from Missouri
- Marco Niebergall: Professional surfer from Germany
- Max Niebergall: German folk musician
- Freya Niebergall: German actress
- Beatrix Niebergall: German medievalist
- Michael Niebergall: German operatic tenor
- Christian Niebergall: 1961 German volleyball silver medalist
- Robert Niebergall: Roman Catholic Bishop of Passau from 1984-2001
- Barbara Niebergall: German classical clarinetist
- Diethelm Niebergall: German serial entrepreneur