Surname Niemüller - Meaning and Origin
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Niemüller: What does the surname Niemüller mean?
The last name Niemüller is of German origin and has several possible forms of spelling. It can be spelled as Niemueller, Niemöller, Niemüller, Nemüller, or any derivative of these spellings.
Generally, the name is derived from the German word niemeier or niemara, which literally translates to "farmer." This is also reflected in the Latin name of Numeirus, which can be defined as one or a group of men who possess or manage land or an estate.
The Niemüller name can be found across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in various forms. The most common spelling today is Niemüller, and the name is often found in Lower Saxony and Westphalia.
Generally, members of the Niemüller family can be characterized as hardworking people who value an honest approach to life. They put a lot of focus on their roots and heritage, and they are very proud of their name.
Furthermore, the name is associated with old German values of respect, honor, and independence. These values are still held in high esteem by members of the family today and are reflected in the way they live their lives.
Overall, the last name Niemüller is a clear reflection of German history and values. It is a proud name that is deeply connected to the past, and many of its bearers continue to uphold its values today.
Order DNA origin analysisNiemüller: Where does the name Niemüller come from?
The surname Niemüller is a German name — mainly originating from Prussia and the surrounding areas before World War I — and is still common in Germany today. Records indicate that Niemüller is the 45th most common surname in Germany, appearing in the telephone book roughly 128,372 times.
Apart from Germany, there are distinct populations of Niemüllers in Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. There is also evidence of a limited diffusion of the Niemüller name throughout the United States and Canada in the 19th century, mostly through German immigrants.
There is a small population of Niemüllers in South Africa, with decreased numbers since the fall of Apartheid. Practically, all South African Niemüllers have German ancestors, either from the original settlers in the 17th century, or as part of the 19th century German immigration wave.
In the UK there are 4,641 Niemüllers recorded during the most recent census in 2011, with many cases having ancestry links to Germany. The same applies in Australia, too, though the Niemüller population here is much smaller in comparison, at only 545 people as of the 2011 census.
Today, people who carry the surname Niemüller are found in more than 60 countries worldwide, with the most concentrated numbers existing in Germany and its neighboring countries.
Variations of the surname Niemüller
Niemueller, Niemöller, Niemuller, Niemuller, Niemoller, Nieimueller, Nieimuler, Nimueller, Nimmetzler, Nimmont, Nimmetz, Nimmo, Neimeyer, Neimoller, Neimeuller, Neimeuller, and Niehmoller are all variants, spellings or surnames of the same origin as the name Niemüller.
The origin of this name, as well as most of its spellings and variants, is German, having first been used in its Old High German spelling of Niemoller. This spelling is from the root words niëm or niem, meaning “growth” or “enclosure” in Old High German, and -ig meaning “possessed of” or “having” and -er meaning “man, warrior.” Other spelling variations that are based on this original Old High German spelling include Niemahler, Nimeroller, Nimeller, Noomeroller, Noimahler, Noemoller, Nemberger, Nenemerger, Neimustler, and Niemmoller.
Other variants and spellings of the name Niemüller were created through dialectical differences as well as other languages, such as Dutch and French. Dutch variants include Niemuller and Neumeuller, while French versions include Nemetz, Naimo, Neimeyer, Neimuller, Neineyer, Nienimet, Naimont, Naimontec, Neimont, Neimontel, and Neimoit.
Still other variants and spellings of the surname name Niemüller are derived from sub-names and nicknames that were historically used to describe the same family or individual. Examples include Nimmetzer, Nimmetz, Nimmetzler, Nimmo, Imo, Emo, Niemont, Nimont, and Niehmoller.
No matter what the spelling, however, all variants of the surname Niemüller are connected to the same Germanic roots and can be traced back to the same family and origin.
Famous people with the name Niemüller
- Martin Niemüller: a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and Lutheran martyr. He was a vocal critic of the Nazi regime and was one of the earliest members of the Confessional Church.
- Otto Niemüller: a German supercentenarian who, at the age of 113, was recognized as one of the oldest living people in Germany at the time of his death.
- Waldemar Niemüller: a German World War II U-boat ace with 39 confirmed sinkings. He was the highest-scoring U-boat commander of the war.
- Konrad Niemüller: a German academic and theologian, who, as professor of theology at the University of Tübingen, was an important figure in modern Lutheranism.
- Adolf Niemüller: an Austrian Social Democratic Party politician and journalist who served as Austria's first Social Democratic chancellor in 1920.
- Friederich Niemüller: a German artist and art professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He was known for his figurative drawings and paintings in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Harry Niemüller: a German Catholic priest and a political activist. He was president of the German Conference of Priests from 1950-1959 and was involved in labour negotiations between the Church and the East German government in the 1950s.
- Johann Niemüller: a German Lutheran pastor and hymnwriter active in the late 1700s. He is most known for his hymn "Nun Danket Alle Gott", which was one of the most frequently sung hymns of the German Lutheran tradition.
- Robert Niemüller: a German film editor and director, whose filmography encompasses feature films, documentary films and television series.
- Cornelia Niemüller: a German aviator who set a world record for the fastest female flight in a powered aircraft in July 1931.