Surname Nißen - Meaning and Origin
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B. Nißen
read moreNißen: What does the surname Nißen mean?
The last name Nißen is of German origin and it is derived from the Middle High German word nic (knight) or nese (hero). The name could refer to a person who was descended from a knight or hero, or it could refer to someone who was considered a brave and courageous warrior. It could also refer to someone who lived in the village with the name Nißen.
The Nißen surname is most common in Northwest Germany and Denmark. The main countries of origin for this surname are Germany, Denmark, and Netherlands. Some people with the name Nißen can also be found in Sweden and other countries around the world where German and Scandinavian immigrants have settled.
The meaning of the surname Nißen is likely to have derived from a nickname, such as 'knight' or 'hero'. It could also be linked to a more general meaning of 'heroism'. Today, the name is typically understood to mean 'strong-willed' or 'courageous', often associated with a person who is determined and brave.
In terms of estimated population, Nißen is ranked among the top 500 most common last names throughout the world. It is estimated that approximately 1 in every 2,570 persons on Earth has the last name Nißen.
Order DNA origin analysisNißen: Where does the name Nißen come from?
The last name Nißen is most commonly found in northern Germany in the region that includes cities such as Hamburg, Bremen, Hanover, and Oldenburg. It can also be found in some parts of Central Germany and Eastern Germany. In addition, the last name Nißen can be found in other parts of Europe including in parts of the Netherlands, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.
It is estimated that approximately 90,000 individuals worldwide currently carry the last name Nißen. In Northern Germany, it is estimated that about 25,000 people have this name and that the majority of these live around Hamburg. In Hamburg, an estimated 4,400 individuals belonging to the Nißen lineage reside. Other areas in Northern Germany with a concentration of individuals with this last name include Bremen, Bielefeld, Hanover, Oldenburg, and Leer.
The origin of the last name Nißen is believed to be connected to Low German language use, which was understandably common in Northern Germany up until the 15th century. Also, similar to other German last names, Nißen likely originated when former occupations and situations became recognized by individuals, who in turn took their names as a reference to the actions they performed from past generations.
Variations of the surname Nißen
The surname Nißen has its origin in Germany, and it is derived from the old German word Niß which means “bend” or “curve”. As with many surnames of German origin, there are a variety of spellings and variants of this surname, as well as related surnames that stem from the same source.
The most common spelling is Nißen, though variations on this spelling can include Neßen, Nessen, Nissen, Neesen, Niesen, Nyssen, and Nussen. Other variants of this surname include Nies, Niss, Netsch, Nissmann, Nesmann, and Nitsche.
Surnames with similar origins that are related to Nißen include Niess, Niz, Nick, Nits, Neuroth, Noss, and Notz. Finally, surnames of foreign origin that sound similar to Nißen include Nishima (of Japanese origin) and Nisson (from the French-Nissen).
In summary, the origins of the surname Nißen can be traced back to Germany, and there are several spelling variations and related surnames of the same origin. These variants include Nißen, Neßen, Nessen, Nissen, Neesen, Niesen, Nyssen, and Nussen. Other related surnames are Niess, Niz, Nick, Nits, Neuroth, Noss, Notz, Nishima, and Nisson.
Famous people with the name Nißen
- John Nißen: a German comedian, actor and author.
- Hans Nißen: a former German swimmer who won gold medals at the 1956 Summer Olympics and 1954, 1958 and 1962 European championships.
- Chris Nißen: a Czech-American actor and screenwriter best known for his roles in films such as "The Manchurian Candidate", "Valkyrie", and "The Devil Wears Prada".
- Dirk Nißen: a German actor best known for his roles in television and film series like "Unser Charly" and "Ein Fall für Zwei".
- Paul Nißen: a German photographer who specializes in fashion photography for magazines such as GQ, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle.
- Philipp Nißen: a German cinematographer and director, known for his work in feature films like Before I Fall, The Book of Life, and Russia 88.
- Oscar Nißen: a German stage actor who has appeared in numerous plays and films.
- Sebastian Nißen: a German author and screenwriter whose works have been nominated for several national and international film awards.
- Ludwig Nißen: an eminent German chemist who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1910.
- Isadora Nißen: a Danish-American actress who garnered acclaim for her performance in the 2018 film "Jade and the Sun".