Surname Nottebohm - Meaning and Origin

Nottebohm: What does the surname Nottebohm mean?

The surname Nottebohm is a German name, derived from the Middle High German words 'not' and 'baume', meaning 'night' and 'tree' respectively. This suggests that it was either originally the name of a small settlement near a tree that was visible at night, or it could have been the name of a person who lived or worked near a tree visible in the night.

The origin of the Nottebohm surname can be traced back to Holland in the 16th century, when Dutch emigrants carried the name to the German-speaking areas of Europe. It became popular in some parts of Germany, including Bavaria. As a result, many Nottebohms can still be found there today, as well as in other countries of the world.

When translated into English, the last name Nottebohm can be interpreted to mean 'night tree'. In some cases, it may have evolved to become its own nickname, as certain people may have been known as Nottebohm as a way to differentiate them from other people.

The Nottebohm surname appears to have been shared by several notable people throughout history, including German composer Gustav Nottebohm, German geographer Eduard Von Nottebohm, and Dutch theologian Klaas Nottebohm, among others. All of these people have made meaningful contributions to their respective fields, demonstrating the dynamism and versatility of the Nottebohm surname.

Nottebohm: Where does the name Nottebohm come from?

The last name Nottebohm is generally thought to be uncommon today, though it does exist in several countries around the world. It is believed to be originally of German origin and is derived from the German words ‘Night’ and ‘Home’. This would suggest that the name would place emphasis on a person's home life.

The Nottebohm surname can be found in various German-speaking countries, including Germany itself, Austria, and Switzerland. There are also Nottebohms in Canada due to German immigrants who came to the country in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the United States, Nottebohms can be found in Pennsylvania, New York and California.

The Nottebohm surname can also be found in small numbers in other parts of the world such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Spain. In fact, there are even records of Nottebohms in South American countries, such as Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.

Nottebohm is a very rare last name today but it is still possible to find it in several countries around the world. In spite of its rarity, it still has a long and storied history going back centuries to its German origins.

Variations of the surname Nottebohm

The surname Nottebohm can be spelled a few different ways, and can have variant surnames as well. Common variants are Notteboom, Nottebaum, or Nuttebohm.

Nottebohm is an Ashkenazi Jewish name of German origin. The first part “Notte” is derived from the Middle High German phrase “noch eine” meaning “another” or “additional”, and “bohm” was often added to surnames of those with German-Jewish ancestry. The surname therefore would mean “Another Bo(h)m” or “Another Bö(h)m”.

The Notteboom variant has been derived from the addition of a Dutch suffix “-boom” which likely refers to an ancestral residence located near a large tree.

Variants in other languages include Nötebohm (in German); Nuttbohm (in Hungarian); Nogteboom (in Dutch); and Nottbohm (in Danish).

Surnames of the same origin include Notter, Notte, Note, and Noth. Notter and Notte are derived from Nottebohm, and Note and Noth are derived from the Middle High German “note”, which could mean “bearing” and was often used to refer to persons in possession of goods.

Famous people with the name Nottebohm

• Gustavo Nottebohm: A Venezuelan-American economist and Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences Laureate, he was appointed to the Lars Norén Chair in Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2006.
• Fanny Nottebohm: A Venezuelan-born pianist, she gave her debut recital at age of eleven and has performed extensively as a soloist and in chamber music, orchestral, and other music ensembles.
• Sandro Nottebohm: A sculptor and artist born in Germany, he works with various materials including wood, stone, iron, steel, and clay. His sculptures have been exhibited worldwide.
• Heinrich Nottebohm: A celebrated German classical music scholar and musician, he wrote extensively about musical subjects and was the first to publish parts of J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.
• Guillermo Nottebohm: A noted scholar, he is best known for his scholarly work on the history and culture of the Canary Islands, particularly the histories of the indigenous people of the islands.
• Richard Nottebohm: A German-born American physiologist, he studied the development of the nervous system, specifically the differentiation of nerve cells during life. His work has been highly influential in the field of neuroscience.
• Arnold Nottebohm: A noted German professor of zoology, he was a well respected teacher and mentor who wrote numerous books and articles on the subject of zoology and the study of animal behavior.
• Hans Nottebohm: A German businessman and philanthropist, he was involved in the banking industry and helped create the German Association for Bankers and Bank Employees. He was a generous donor to multiple charities and causes.

Other surnames

Nottebom