Surname Niebuer - Meaning and Origin

Niebuer: What does the surname Niebuer mean?

The last name Niebuer is of German origin and is derived from two related German words, nie (never) and buer (to bear, to suffer). It literally translates as “never to suffer” and is thought to symbolically represent an ability to endure anything that comes one’s way or a strong faith in God.

The exact origin of the name is somewhat uncertain as German surnames did not become common practice until well into the Medieval period. It is believed, however, that the Niebuers were one of the oldest families in Germany, having originated in southern Germany around the fifteenth century.

Niebuer is a very old and respected German surname, similar to noble titles like Von or De. It is a symbol of honor and tradition throughout Germany and a sign of hardworking people with great strength of character. It also reflects a strong bond of loyalty and commitment to family.

Today, the Niebuers are a close-knit family, established throughout Germany and beyond, with branches in the United States, Canada, and Australia. At family gatherings, the Niebuer name is proudly praised, and every generation that comes forth is further strengthened by loyalty to honor the legacies of their ancestors.

The Niebuer family name is indeed a symbol of faith, hope, and loyalty that will last for many generations to come.

Niebuer: Where does the name Niebuer come from?

The last name Niebuer is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German variant of the more usual spelling of Niebuhr, and it likely derives from an old German word meaning new village or new builder. It is known to have been used in the Middle Ages and is still in regular use in Germany, particularly in the northern parts of the country.

In Germany, the last name Niebuer is most common among the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, and Lower Saxony. It is also found in other parts of Europe such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria.

The spelling of the name Niebuer can also be found in the United States and Canada, thanks to the Scandinavian and German immigrants of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is particularly common in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota. According to the records kept by the United States Census Bureau, the last name Niebuer is still present in numbers significant enough for it to be viewed as a surname of German origin.

In conclusion, the last name Niebuer is most commonly found in Germany today, although variants are found among immigrants to countries such as the United States and Canada. Its use in the latter countries was likely brought on by the wave of German and Scandinavian immigrants of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variations of the surname Niebuer

The surname Niebuer is a German name that originated during the Middle Ages and is derived from the pre-7th century Germanic personal name "Nibb, Nibbi," a diminutive form of the male given name "Nithbart," which was composed of the elements "nith," meaning "bold," and "berht," meaning "bright, or famous". Variants of the surname Niebuer include Niebuhr, Nibauer, Neubauer, Neubauer, Niburg, Neebuhr, Neebur, Neebauer, Niberg, Neohr, Neuberg, Nieberg, and Niergarth. While all of the above spellings are related to the same origin, the spelling Niebur or Niembur is a Low German contraction of the name "Niebuer."

The international spread of the Niebuer surname is largely due to the huge migration of people from Europe in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Migration from Germany to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, often required changing the spelling of their surname to either fit into the language or customs of their new homecountry. This was further compounded when governments, primarily the United States, began documenting the names of immigrants during the mid-1800s. Therefore, people with similar names have many different spellings of the same origin.

Throughout the centuries, Niebuer families intermarried, and consequently, the surname can also be found in many other variations, such as Niemeyer, Niemair, Nimar, Nimser, Niemayer, Neumeyer, Neumayer, Neumeier, Neimayer, Neimair, Neismer, Niemirski, Neumyers, Neumeirs, and Neumeyars.

Famous people with the name Niebuer

• Mark Niebuer: American administrative assistant at Southwest Minnesota State University and actor known for roles in the films The Dream Team (1989) and The Darker Side of Midnight (1984).
• Harry Niebuer: German screenwriter and film director. He is best known as the director of the original 1928 version of Der Blaue Engel.
• Harold Niebuhr: American theologian, philosopher, and ethicist best known for his involvement in Christian thought and activism.
• Charles Niebuer: German potter, artist, and teacher. He is known for his White Ware pottery, which he made from 1954 until his death in 1986.
• Earl Niebuhr: American attorney and civil rights activist in the early 20th century. He co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union in 1920 and helped to found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
• Elisabeth Niebuhr: American field inclined stone sculptor best known for her contributions to midwest and Sioux City area public sculpture.
• Wolfgang Niebuhr: German classical philologist and theologian, best known for his translation of the Bible into German as well as for his work on New Testament textual criticism.
• Nicholas Niebuhr: German photographic and film artist, known for his work in documenting remote regions of the former Soviet Union such as the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Konrad Niebuhr: German social and political theorist, known for his insight into the problems of modernity, the nature of political authority, and the nature of civil society.
• Wilhelm Niebuhr: German composer and music teacher who was instrumental in the development of music education in late-19th century Germany.

Other surnames

NiebuhrNieburNieburg