Surname Nießel - Meaning and Origin

Nießel: What does the surname Nießel mean?

The last name Nießel is a German surname with a variety of possible meanings. Many scholars believe that the name is derived from the Germanic words “nie” which means “new” and “wisel” which means “drunkard” and together refer to an innkeeper or tavern-keeper. Other sources suggest that the name may be a form of the Scandinavian given name “Niels” which is a variant spelling of "Nicholas". The name could then originate from a nickname given to someone who resembled a Nobleman or a Victorious Person.

Historically, the name Nießel can be traced back to the 12th and 13th centuries. During this time the name was common in the German speaking areas of Thuringia and Bavaria. The earliest recorded instance of the name was in 1289 in the town of Mooskirchen in the region of Thuringia. The region was in the middle ages ruled by the Thuringian dynasty of the Ludovingian family. During this time the Nießel family were active in the regional politics and served as castle supervisors, court officials or even mayors.

Today, the Nießel family can be found in several countries including Germany, the United States, Canada and Australia. Throughout the centuries the name and its variations have spread to all corners of the world as the descendants of the family have moved and expanded.

Nießel: Where does the name Nießel come from?

The last name Nießel is commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, and the United States. The name is derived from the German word for 'knee' or 'knuckle'.

In Germany, the name Nießel is most commonly found in the North Rhine-Westphalia region and in Berlin. This is probably because the name has been there since medieval times and the people that resided in that area were likely to have been descended from a single family.

In Austria, the name is found in most of the states, with a higher frequency in Lower Austria, Graz-Styria, and the Vienna area. In Switzerland, the name is found more in western Switzerland, particularly in Zürich, Basel, and St. Gallen.

In the United States the name is most common in the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and New York as the first three states are the usual destinations for German immigrants.

In the Netherlands, the name is commonly found but more so near the German border. In Belgium, the name is usually more common in the Flemish region, as German immigrants tended to settle in this area due to it being a more rural area than the French-speaking part of the country. In Norway, the name is more common in Sør-Trøndelag county and the city of Trondheim, which have strong ties to the German-speaking countries, having received immigration from those countries during the 19th century.

No matter where you look or where the name originated from, it is clear that the name Nießel is still very much present and is a testament to the presence of German immigrants and their descendants throughout Europe and the United States.

Variations of the surname Nießel

Nießel is a surname of German origin, which has a few variants and spellings. The most commonly known variant is Niessl, which is pronounced with a hard “s” like “ness”, instead of a soft “ss” like “sell”. Other variations of the name include Nesel, Neeßel, Nessel, and Niessel.

Nießel can also be found under different variants and spellings in other countries. In Austria, the name is often written as Nissl or Nizl. In Hungary, it is written as Nyizsel or Nyizssel, and in the Czech Republic as Nezsel or Nezssel. Further variants of the name include Nißel, Nisser, Nissel, Niesser, Nieser, and Niesen, among others.

The surname is derived from the Middle High German “niesen”, which means “to nod off, doze”. As such, it is thought to have originally indicated someone who was lazy or dozed off often.

Nießel is commonly found among other German-origin surnames ending in -sel and -ser, such as Kiessel, Biessel, Löbsel, and Herzser. Other surnames originating from the same root include Nizell, Nieser, and Niesen.

Famous people with the name Nießel

• Claudia Niessl van der Gracht: Austrian businesswoman, entrepreneur, and CEO of Cloudbakers Technologies.
• Robert Niesel: American physicist and professor emeritus at Ohio State University.
• Carsten Niesel: German international football coach and former professional player.
• Melchior Nießel: German composer, organist, and music theorist of the Baroque era.
• Franz Niessl: Austrian composer, organist and choirmaster of the Romantic era.
• Ernst Nießel: German philosopher and logician.
• Jan Nießel: German astronomer and mathematician.
• Jakob Nießel: German doctor and naturalist who had worked extensively in the field of botany.
• Heinrich Nießel: German zoologist and herpetologist.
• Karl Nießel: German physicist and astronomer.
• Albrecht Nießel: German sculptor and medallist.
• Carl Nießel: German painter and graphic artist.
• Eberhard Nießel: German Lutheran theologian and historian.
• Eva Nießel: Austrian stage and film actress.
• Harry Nießel: German engineer, motorboat racer, and sailplane pilot.
• Pauly Nießel: German Lugers ice hockey coach.
• Zach Nießel: American professional basketball player.

Other surnames

NießeNießelerNießenNießer