Surname Niessen - Meaning and Origin
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A Deeper Understanding of Identity: The Influence of the iGENEA DNA Test and the Impact of the Niessen Heritage
The discovery of my connection to the Niessen lineage, courtesy of an iGENEA DNA test, has brought my understanding of personal identity and heritage into sharper focus.
C. Niessen
read moreNiessen: What does the surname Niessen mean?
The surname Niessen is of German origin and is sometimes spelled as Niesser, Niesner, or Niessner. The name translates to “son of Nicholas” or “son of Niels”, and is a patronymic form of the given names "Nicholas" and "Niels".
The spelling of the surname can vary or even change over time as it has been adopted in different areas. For example, in the Netherlands, it is often spelled as Neessen, while in Luxemburg it is spelled as Nissen. The surname is also very common in the south of Germany and is found throughout Europe.
In some cases, the etymology of Niessen may also be traceable to the ancient Germanic word “ness”, meaning “promontory”, suggesting that the name belonged to someone living near a hill or promontory.
Overall, the surname Niessen is ultimately derived from the popular ancient given names “Nicholas” or “Niels”, and is associated with both in origin and meaning. The spelling of the name can also vary, depending on where it originated, and may also have ties to the ancient Germanic word “ness”.
Order DNA origin analysisNiessen: Where does the name Niessen come from?
The last name Niessen is a common surname throughout Europe, especially in Germany and the Netherlands. While it is also seen in other countries, for example, in South Africa and the United States of America, it is more frequently found in those two.
Niessen is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German "nis" meaning "nobody/nothing". It is believed to have been given to people who went by the free occupation of woodsman or hunter.
In Germany, Niessen is most common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it ranks among the top 50 surname in the country. The nearby Netherlands also has a high number of Niessens; particularly in Zeeland, which was formerly border area between the Dutch and Flemish-speaking areas.
In the US, the Niessen surname is found in all states, with its highest density in the states of Illinois, California, and Ohio.
Other countries in which the surname is also common include Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Overall, the Niessen surname is most common in Northern Europe, but is slowly growing in other parts of the world due to immigration.
Variations of the surname Niessen
The Niessen surname is of Germanic origin and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common alternative spellings and surnames include Niesen, Nissen, Niessen, Nyssen, Nyssone, Nyxton, Nerison, Nisson, Nyss, Nessen, and Niño. The name is derived from the Germanic term “neise”, which means “corner”. It is thought to be a reference to someone who resided near or at the corner of a town or village.
In Dutch, the surname is spelled “Nijssen”, while in German, it is spelled “Niesen”. In Swedish, the name is spelled “Nysén.” Other alternative spellings and surnames of the same origin include Nice, Nicke, Niceson, Nicoson, Neisen, Neisme, Niemeyer, Niemeier, Niemann, Neon, Neubeck, Najer, Neijzen, and Nijss.
Variations of the Niessen surname can be found in most of Europe, including Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, and throughout the British Isles. It is also common in the United States, where many are of German or Dutch descent.
The Niessen surname has been found as early as the 13th century in Germany and the Netherlands. It has been used as a middle name, first name, and surname for many generations. Today, families bearing this surname can be found in many parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Niessen
- Anton Niessen: was a Dutch painter, largely of the Hague School.
- Julien Niessen: is a Dutch TV presenter, podcast host, entrepreneur, and author.
- Karel Niessen: was a Dutch cyclist who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.
- Klaas Niessen: is a Dutch footballer who played for Heracles Almelo in the Netherlands.
- Bart Niessen: is a Dutch professional beach volleyball player.
- Suus Niessen: is a Dutch television presenter, singer and actress.
- Anna Niessen: was a Dutch swimmer who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
- Wesley Niessen: was a Dutch footballer who played for various clubs in the Netherlands.
- Filip Niessen: is a former Dutch athlete who took part in the 1932 Summer Olympics.
- Timo Niessen: is a Dutch photographer and retoucher who has worked in the fashion industry.