Surname Niesse - Meaning and Origin
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Niesse: What does the surname Niesse mean?
The last name Niesse is of German and Dutch origin, likely originating from the personal name Nieß, which is derived from the old Middle High German niessen meaning "grandson". It may have been used to refer to the grandson of an ancestor, or to a person who had served at a castle or estate.
The modern German spelling of the name is Niese. As a result, the name is primarily found in countries of Germanic culture, such as Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. In the United States, those bearing the Niesse family name are concentrated in Texas, with smaller numbers in California, New York, and Illinois.
Niesse is also a common surname in Jewish communities, likely being derived from the Hebrew word Nasi, which refers to a rabbi or community leader. This surname is primarily seen in the Middle East, particularly Israel.
Throughout its history, the Niesse surname has been associated with hard work, intelligence, and a desire for a better future. Those who bear this name can trace their roots to a variety of origins, including Germanic, Dutch, and even Jewish. For all of its variations, the name has always been associated with loyalty and ambition.
Order DNA origin analysisNiesse: Where does the name Niesse come from?
The last name Niesse is most commonly found today in Germany and parts of Scandinavia. Niesse is a German-language surname, derived from Niesen which is an old coastline term referring to a sharp, raised area of land jutting out into the sea. The name can refer to either a geographical area or a family living nearby, and is possibly of Viking origin.
In Germany, the name is concentrated in the regions surrounding the North Sea. It is quite prevalent in the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen and Rheinland-Pfalz. The name has also spread in the area east to Poland and Belarus, reflecting the movement of German and Scandinavian immigrants over the centuries.
The Scandinavian countries also have a significant number of Niesse surnames, although the name is less prevalent there. In Sweden, the name is most common in the region of Västmanland and the adjacent provinces of Södermanland and Uppsala. In Norway, many Niesse families are concentrated in the southwestern areas of Rogaland and Vest-Agder.
Niesse is also found in the United States, primarily in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. These areas have significant concentrations of German and Scandinavian immigrants from the latter 19th century. In Australia, the name is found in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, where records show a German farmer named Charles Niesse arriving in the 1850s.
Overall, due to immigration and movement, the last name Niesse can be found in countries all around the world today.
Variations of the surname Niesse
Niesse is a surname originating from the German language, with various variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is an occupational name, derived from the Old High German word “niessen”, meaning “one who is in charge of protecting or governing something”.
The most common spellings and other related surnames are Niese, Niesen, Nisius, Niess, Nies, Neiss and Neise. Niesse is also an archaic form of the first name Agnes. In Dutch and Flemish-speaking countries, Niesse (or its equivalent “Nysse”) is a pet form of the given name Agnes.
Apart from the German-speaking countries, the surname is also found in the Netherlands, where it originated from lower classes of Dutch society. In the Netherlands, the variation “Niess” is more common.
In the United States, the variant of Niesse was taken up by many German-American families, arriving to the country from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. The variant “Nisius”, which is quite rare today, was also introduced to the United States by these immigrants.
In Poland, the surname “Neise” is very common. It is derived from the German form of the name “Niese” and was also introduced to Poland by German immigrants who arrived there in the 19th century.
Overall, the most common variant of the surname Niesse is Niese, followed by Niesen. The other variants, such as Nisius, Niess, Neiss and Neise are generally rare.
Famous people with the name Niesse
- Sebastian Niesse: Sebastian is a German actor, known for his roles in the movies Fear of the Darkness (2005), Bandits (2006), and Mr. Nobody (2009).
- Kurt Niesse: Kurt is a famous German singer and songwriter, known for his harrowing ballads and his massive success in the German music world.
- Magnus Niesse: Magnus is an acclaimed illustrator from Germany, known for his surreal artworks. He has collaborated with several notable European musicians as both the designer and illustrator.
- Anne Niesse: Anne is an award-winning German film actress, known for her roles in films like Love for No Reason (2006), Her Big Adventure (2006) and Tiger Fighters (2008).
- Sven Niesse: Sven is a renowned German composer and musician, known for his iconic works in film scores, such as for the movie The Call of the Wild (2008).
- Thomas Niesse: Thomas is a famous German photographer, known for his collaborative works with poet Rainer Maria Rilke, as well as his photographs featured in several magazines and publications.
- Tobias Niesse: Tobias is a renowned German actor, known for his roles in the TV series Summer Games (2001), SOKO Leipzig (2004) and Turks & Caicos (2008).
- Sebastian Niesse Jr.: Sebastian is the son of the first Sebastian Niesse, and is following in his father's footsteps as an actor. He is known for his roles in films like The Book of Life (2012) and One Armed Court (2013).
- Ulrich Niesse: Ulrich is a famous German sports administrator, known for his leadership of several important international sports events. He has been a part of the International Olympic Committee since 1971.
- Nathan Niesse: Nathan is a renowned German filmmaker and director, known for his work on the Netflix series Trapped (2004) and the movie El Dorado (2011).