Surname Nieberg - Meaning and Origin

Nieberg: What does the surname Nieberg mean?

The last name Nieberg is an occupational surname from Germany. It is derived from the Middle High German words “nest” and “beri” which have meanings of "sickle" and "edged tool," signifying a farmer who used these to harvest grain. It was also used to indicate someone who farmed a piece of land, as the name Nieberg can also mean ‘new allotment’.

The name thus arose when people were required to adopt a family name when registering with local authorities. It is believed that the name was taken by a farmer who moved to a new allotment of land and so adopted the surname Nieberg, having been associated with the land prior to it being allocated.

The surname can be found in records registered in Germany as far back as the mid-18th century, with records of Johan Henrich Nieberg being registered in 1750. In recent times the Nieberg family has spread to various areas across Europe and beyond, in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and Israel.

Many notable people have the last name Nieberg, including German aldermen Johann Nieberg, and Carl Friedrich Nieberg, and Austrian lawyer Meir Nieberg, amongst others. The surname has become increasingly popular in different countries in recent years, suggesting more people are adopting the last name Nieberg.

Nieberg: Where does the name Nieberg come from?

The last name Nieberg is most commonly found in Germany. It is derived from the German name Nieberger, which is derived from the German word for "farmer,” meaning the name was given to a family of farmers. Nieberg has also been found in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland, and is likely to be found elsewhere in Europe as well.

In the United States, the Nieberg last name is found primarily in California, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin. It is thought to have been brought to the US by immigrants from Germany during the early 19th century. Niebergs have also been found in Canada, Mexico, and countries in South America, again likely the result of German immigrants.

Today, the Nieberg surname is a common one in Germany with as many as 5, taught according to one source. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are approximately 10,000 people with the name. It is not an especially common name in the US, with an estimated total of 2,200.

The surname has been given as a title to numerous government officials and prominent people across Europe since the 16th century, including Emil Nieberg, a German banker and politician. It is also the name of two towns in Germany: Nieberg in Rhineland-Palatinate and Niebergall in Bavaria.

Variations of the surname Nieberg

The surname Nieberg originated in Germany and varies in its spelling, regional variants and other forms. The original spellings of Nieberg emerged around the 16th century and have since evolved and spread throughout the world. It is also spelled as Niebur, Neuberger, Nieburger, Neiberg, and Neuber.

Historically, the surname Nieberg was derived from the medieval given name ‘Neidpert’, which was a combination of two Germanic elements. The first element was ‘neid’ or ‘neide’ which meant ‘jealousy’ or ‘hatred’, and the second element was ‘pera’ which meant ‘hero’. This would make the literal translation of Neidpert as ‘hero of hatred’.

Variations of Nieberg are also found in Dutch, Czech, and Polish forms, such as Niebuhr, Niemburg, Niebauer, Niebur, Niembursky, and Niebergall. These are surnames evolved from the original Nieberg spelling, and often reflected people’s geographical or regional heritage.

The various spellings of Nieberg often suggest different socio-economic classes within the same ancestral line. The original spelling is typically associated with German aristocrats and wealthy merchants, while the other spellings and variants suggest families of more modest means.

The Nieberg name has been largely adopted throughout the world, with high concentrations of the surnames in countries such as the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Brazil. It is a popular surname which continues to evolve with both regional and international variations.

Famous people with the name Nieberg

• Leonard Nieberg: Leonard Nieberg is an American lawyer and attorney who was the United States Deputy Solicitor General from 2006 to 2008.
• Edward Nieberg: Edward Nieberg was a notable American attorney and law professor who taught at the University of Michigan Law School for almost forty years.
• Harold Nieberg: Harold Nieberg was a politician who served as a United States Representative from New York in the early part of the 20th century.
• Bruce Nieberg: Bruce Nieberg is a noted American documentary filmmaker who has produced hundreds of documentaries.
• Irving Nieberg: Irving Nieberg was a prominent American accountant who served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Defense during the Johnson Administration.
• Dennis Nieberg: Dennis Nieberg is an American actor who has appeared in numerous films and television shows.
• Franklin Nieberg: Franklin Nieberg was an American athlete who was a member of the 1936 Olympic team in Berlin and participated in track and field events.
• Herschel Nieberg: Herschel Nieberg was an influential rabbi who served as the rabbi of an Orthodox synagogue in Brooklyn for many years.
• Selig Nieberg: Selig Nieberg was an influential Jewish-American activist who worked for the causes of civil rights and the labor movement.
• Sylvia H. Nieberg: Sylvia H. Nieberg was a notable American social worker who was recognized for her work with the Palestinian refugees in the Middle East.

Other surnames

NiebeckerNieberNiebergallNiebert