Surname Niggemeyer - Meaning and Origin

Niggemeyer: What does the surname Niggemeyer mean?

The last name Niggemeyer is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the German name “Niggemeyer.” The literal meaning and translation of the name from the original German directly translates to "small farmer."

Niggemeyer is a relatively old German surname, and was likely used to denote people who either owned land and farmed, or worked as a farmhand and seasonally rented land in rural German villages for a nominal fee. While the name has endured for centuries, it is now rare and only found occasionally in Germany, with the majority of individuals with this surname residing in the United States, primarily in Ohio and Texas.

Many people with this surname may share some common ancestors, as some of the earliest known references to the name were recorded in a church register dating back to 1670. Records of the usage of the name Niggemeyer have been found in various public archives, such as church records, court documents, and military rosters.

Niggemeyer is likely a highly localized name and most individuals with this name are related through common ancestry or marriage. While relatively rare, you may still find evidence of the last name in various records and documents throughout the world.

Niggemeyer: Where does the name Niggemeyer come from?

The last name Niggemeyer is most commonly found today in the German states of Bavaria, Hamburg, Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also found in Austria, and as far away as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden.

The earliest mention of the Niggemeyer name appears in Germany, in the medieval region of Lower Saxony, in the year 1545. From there, the name spread across Europe. During the 19th century it is thought the name was particularly common in the area around what is now the city of Dresden in the German state of Saxony.

The name is occasionally Anglicised, such as to Nierenmeir and Niggmeyer, however the standard English spelling remains "Niggemeyer". According to data from the website Forebears, the last name Niggemeyer is today ranked as the 23,786th most common name in the world. It is most commonly found throughout Europe, with special concentrations in Germany and Austria, however it can be found in those countries’ émigré populations in Africa, North and South America, and Australasia.

Variations of the surname Niggemeyer

Niggemeyer is an uncommon German surname, with several variants and spelling variations. The original form is believed to derive from an old German personal name, "Niger," and is thought to mean “black” or “dark”. Common variants include Niegemeyer, Niggemeyer, Niggemeier, Neigemeyer, Niegemeyer, Niegemeier, Niegermeyer, Nigemeyer, Neigemeier, Nigemeier, and many more.

The various spellings are believed to have been brought about by religious and cultural differences within Germany as well as dialects and regional pronunciation over time.

Variants of the surname are most commonly found in Germany, though they are also found throughout Europe, the United States, and Canada. The most numerous variant in Germany is the Niggemeier form, while the most common form in the US is Niegemeyer.

In southwest Germany, Niegemeier was particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, while the variant Niegermeyer became popular in Rhineland-Palatinate in the late 18th century. Additionally, the variants Neigemeyer and Neigemeier were heavily concentrated in North Rhine-Westphalia in the late 19th century.

In the US, the Neigemeier variant is most common, while the Niggemeyer form is most heavily concentrated in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Texas.

Overall, the Niggemeyer surname is a fascinating example of how different spelling variations have developed and evolved due to regional and cultural differences both in Germany and around the world.

Famous people with the name Niggemeyer

• Lane Niggemeyer, professional wakeboarder
• Bob Niggemeyer, American figure skater who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics
• Willie Niggemeyer, American singer and songwriter
• Brent Niggemeyer, professional golfer
• Brandon Niggemeyer, professional skateboarder
• Brent Niggemeyer, Major League Baseball player
• Victor Niggemeyer, American tennis player
• Charles Niggemeyer, American sculptor
• Carol Niggemeyer, American television producer
• Steve Niggemeyer, American sports car racer
• Peter Niggemeyer, American basketball player
• Laura Niggemeyer, former American ski jumper
• George Niggemeyer, American football player
• Leon Niggemeyer, former German footballer

Other surnames

Niggemeier