Surname Nigl - Meaning and Origin
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Nigl: What does the surname Nigl mean?
The last name Nigl is a German surname that is derived from the Germanic “-igl” suffix which literally translates to “son of”. It is believed that the first original bearers of the name were alive during the Medieval era and were named “Niegole” after their ancestors.
The name is also found in the southern regions of Bavaria and Austria where dialects of the German language are still spoken. It is also found in Switzerland, where it is primarily spelled “Nigli”. The surname is one of the most common German surnames and is found in many places around the world.
The literal meaning of the word “Nigl” is “son of Niabi”, which means “son of copper”. This originates from the old Germanic word “nibi” which means copper. The original bearers of this surname may have had occupations that involved mining or smelting of copper ore.
The variations of the surname found around the world are indication of how far the first original bearers had traveled throughout their lifetime. From Germany, to Austria, Switzerland and to North America, the surname is found in many migration records, indicating that it has been around for many generations.
Nigl is a common surname with a long history in Europe, and continues to be found around the world today. The literal meaning of the word “Nigl” is “son of copper”, indicating that the original bearers may have had occupations involving the mining or smelting of copper ore.
Order DNA origin analysisNigl: Where does the name Nigl come from?
The last name Nigl is most common today in Germany and Austria. It is the Germanized version of the Italian last name Niglio. While there are many variants of this name, such as Neigl, Neiglio, Neigle, Neiglieri, Niegle, and Niegl, the Nigl spelling is still the most common in Germany and Austria. The surname is believed to have originated in Italy, possibly during the Middle Ages and is thought to be derived from the Latin "nyx" meaning "wig". This could refer to someone wearing a wig, or a signifier of having a distinguished position.
Today, roughly 1,459 people bear the name Nigl in Germany. This is according to the Deutsches Namenslexikon, which provides data on the spread of surnames in German-speaking countries. In Austria, that figure is 2,703 individuals according to the Osterreichisches Namenlexikon. However, this number is likely to be higher as it only references individuals who have registered with the Austrian government.
The surnames is also common in other Central European Countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic, as well as other countries across the world, suggesting a spread of this last name during or shortly after the Middle Ages. It is also possible that surname could have spread through the military, as it is believed to have been adopted by German soldiers in the Austrian army during the Thirty Years War.
Nigl is among a long list of surnames which are associated with Central Europe, suggesting a history of migration and cultural exchange. The multi-faceted history of the surname offers a deeper understanding of the social, political and ideological shifts of that time.
Variations of the surname Nigl
The surname Nigl has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Niegl, Niegel, Nigel, Niigl, Neygel, Neigel, and Neigl. All of these spellings are pronounced in a similar way and ultimately have the same origin.
The surname Nigl is of German origin and comes from an occupational name for someone who worked as a smith or carpenter in the Middle Ages. This was a popular trade at the time and so the name became quite popular. The surname was also used based on someone’s location; this could be a alter based on the region they lived in.
Variants of the surname can be found in Austria, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Russia. It can also be found in other parts of Europe and the United States.
The spelling of the surname Nigl can be changed depending on the dialect and language of the region. For example, in German it is common to drop the ‘i’ from words, so the name can be spelled Neygel instead of Nigl.
The surname Nigl can also be found with other variations such as Niglovic, Niglo, Niglos, Niglus, and Niglau, which are all derived from the same origin of the surname.
Famous people with the name Nigl
- Thomas Nigl: Austrian composer, bassoonist and musicologist.
- Franz-Xaver Nigl: Austrian painter and illustrator.
- Dorothea Maria Nigl: Austrian actress and performer.
- Johann Baptist Nigl: Austrian painter and art collector.
- Johann Nigl: Austrian actor and author.
- Georg Nigl: Austrian painter and sculptor.
- Luis Maria Nigl: Austrian sculptor.
- Paul Nigl: Austrian composer and conductor.
- Roman Nigl: Austrian cinematographer.
- Oskar Nigl: Austrian actor, director and playwright.
- Rosemarie Nigl: Austrian artist and sculptor.
- Johann Baptist Nigl: Austrian actor and comedian.
- Gerhard Nigl: Austrian artist and filmmaker.
- Martin Nigl: Austrian alpine skier.
- Alfons Nigl: Austrian physicist.