Surname Nigemeier - Meaning and Origin
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Nigemeier: What does the surname Nigemeier mean?
The last name Nigemeier is derived from two German words: nige, meaning ‘bend’ or ‘twist’ and meier, meaning ‘farmer’. So, the phrase ‘Nigemeier’ literally means ‘twisting farmer’ in English.
Traditionally, the vast majority of people with the last name Nigemeier are of German descent, as the name originates from Germany. Some historians believe that the name specifically hails from the region of Lower Saxony in Northern Germany.
In the days before standardized surnames, the Nigemeier surname was derived from the occupation of the first person to bear the name. They likely worked the farmlands, bending down to tend the soil and twist the stems of wheat or other crops. The name simply served as a way to identify this farmer from the others in the village.
Over the intervening centuries, the vast majority of the members of this family kept the same profession. Those with the surname Nigemeier have worked the farmlands of Germany for countless generations, bending and twisting their way through each passing year as they tend to the soil and the crops.
Today, the surname Nigemeier is not as common as it once was. While those with the name remain deeply rooted in Germany, a number of those with the surname had emigrated to other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. As a result, the name is no longer concentrated solely in Germany and can be found scattered throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisNigemeier: Where does the name Nigemeier come from?
The last name Nigemeier is commonly seen today in Germany and parts of Europe. The name dates back to the time of the Middle Ages; records from the early 13th century mention a possible origin in a man named “Nigemar” who was a knight in the court of the King of Aschaffenburg.
Alternatively, some suggest the name may come from the broader region of Franken, on the banks of the Main River. The region was known for its agricultural prowess and during the Middle Ages was part of several German states that would eventually come together to form the modern borders of Germany.
In the modern day in Germany, statistics show that the Nigemeier name is most common in Lower Saxony, where one quarter of all Nigemeiers are born. The city of Hannover in Lower Saxony is home to the largest concentration of Nigemeiers. Next in line is the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by the city of Berlin.
It is thought that ever since the Middle Ages the name has spread out in Germany, with some citizens bearing it in now distant parts of the country. As a result, some of the descendants of those original Nigemeiers from Franken can now be found in the Americas, particularly in the United States and Canada.
Overall, the last name Nigemeier is far from rare today, and can be seen in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Nigemeier
Nigemeier is a German surname with several variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin. One variant of the name is Nigemeyer, which has the same pronunciation but is sometimes used in different regions within Germany. It is related to the Old High German words 'nickan', which means to make brief, and 'meigi', which means might or strength. The name likely comes from a former profession of strength or courage, making it a literal surname.
Other spellings and surnames of similar origin are Nigheimer, Nigemuller, Nikmeier, Nickmeier, and Nickmeyer. Nigheimer has a slightly different pronunciation, while Nigemuller, Nikmeier, Nickmeier, and Nickmeyer appear to be related but more distant variants of the same name. All versions of the surname translate to 'strong man'.
The variants of the Nigemeier surname have spread to other regions over the centuries, so it may appear as Nigemeier, Niegemeier, Neigemeier, Neigemeyer, Neigehmeier, Neigemuller, and Nigemyer in other countries outside of Germany. In parts of the U.S. it may also be spelled Nighmeyer, Nighmeiler, and Nighmiller.
Variations of the surname have also begun to appear in written records over time as people with the surname married individuals of other nationalities and communities. This includes forms like Nigepie, Negemi, Negemicher, and Negemoller. No matter the spelling or variant, the surname remains the same and is a reminder of its German origin.
Famous people with the name Nigemeier
- Dr. Nathan Nigemeier: a professor of Biblical Studies at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Edward Nigemeier: a German artistic photographer.
- Abigail Nigemeier: an American fashion designer.
- Alois Nigemeier: a German politician from the Christian Democratic Union.
- Holly Nigemeier: an American comeidian, television actress, and singer.
- Don Nigemeier: an American football coach and former player, currently the head coach of the University of Central Missouri.
- Anne Nigemeier: a German-born Australian journalist and media personality.
- Patrick Nigemeier: an American painter, sculptor, and musician.
- Dr. Stephen Nigemeier: a professor of Classics at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Dr. Julie Nigemeier: a professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto.