Surname Niel - Meaning and Origin
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D. Niel
read moreNiel: What does the surname Niel mean?
The surname Niel is of Scottish origin and is considered a variant of the last name "Neil," originally derived from the Gaelic personal name "Niall." This forename has traditionally been popular in Ireland and Scotland and is said to have possibly originated from the words "nél" meaning "cloud" or "passionate," or "niadh" meaning "champion" in Old Gaelic. The surname Niel may also be a regional name for someone from the Irish county of Neil, based in Ulster. Today, it is found in many English-speaking countries, many times as a result of Scottish and Irish emigration. As with many surnames, specific meanings can vary based on regional and historical usage. Furthermore, the surname can also have different origins in other countries, for instance, in France, Niel is a topographic name for someone who lived near a river or stream, from the Old French "nielle" which refers to a river or stream. Overall, the surname Niel has various potential meanings, and therefore the precise meaning often depends on the specific ancestral line of the person bearing the name.
Order DNA origin analysisNiel: Where does the name Niel come from?
The last name Niel is derived from the given name Neil or Niall, a Gaelic or Irish name. It is most commonly found in the US, where 28,187 people have the surname. It is also common in Scotland, where it ranks among the top 120 surnames.
In the US, the name is prevalent in California, where it is well represented in Oakland, San Francisco, and San Diego. Other states with high numbers of Neils are Texas, Florida, Michigan, and Illinois.
In Scotland, Neils are most popular in Glasgow, where the name is among the top 50 surnames. Highland and Aberdeenshire also have high numbers of people with the name. Neils are more scattered across the rest of the UK, but there are still large populations in London, Hampshire, and Lancashire.
Neils can also be found in parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, Belgium, and France. Canada also has a significant population of Neils.
Overall, the last name Niel is common in many countries across the world. It is especially popular in the US, Scotland, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Niel
The surname Niel is of German origin. It is derived from the personal name Neil, a shortened version of the name Niall, which is thought to mean ‘champion’ or ‘hero’. The surname Niel can be spelled in several different ways, including Neale, Neal, Neill, Neale, Niall, Nolan, and Neilson.
Variants or other spellings of the surname Niel are Neale, Neal, Neill, Neale, Niall, Nolan, and Neilson, each with their own unique variations.
The Scottish variant, Neilson, is spelled Neilsen, Nilson, and Nilsson. The Irish variant, Niall, is spelled Neall, Neil, O’Neill, and O’neill. The Scandinavian variant, Nolan, is spelled Nolon and Nolen.
The variations of the surname Niel are reflective of its presence in many different cultures throughout the world. It is a surname commonly found in both England and Scotland, as well as in Ireland, Australia, Canada, United States, Sweden, and other European countries.
Regardless of what spelling is used, the surname Niel is still part of a rich history and carries the same meaning of courage and strength.
This surname has been passed down through families for many centuries and still remains a part of many cultures today.
Famous people with the name Niel
- Niels Bohr: Nobel Prize-winning physicist who developed the model of the atom and made foundational contributions to quantum mechanics.
- Niels van Gogh: Dutch DJ and record producer who’s collaborated with artists such as Pink, Rea Garvey, and David Guetta.
- Niel degrasse Tyson: American astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator who was the host of the highly successful television series “Cosmos”.
- Niels Arden Oplev: Danish film director and screenwriter best known for his work on films such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
- Niels Littorin: Swedish politician and fomer Minister for Employment in the Reinfeldt Cabinet.
- Niels Larsen Stevns: Danish naval officer and politician who was a member of the Conservative People's Party.
- Niels Johan Ravlo: Norwegian military officer and athlete, known for his involvement in the War of War of 1818.
- Niels-Erik Lund: Danish sports commentator and radio presenter who worked for DR Radio.
- Niel Cornelisz van Dijk: Dutch footballer who played for the Eredivisie team Go Ahead Eagles.
- Niels Jespersen: Danish social anthropologist and professor of education at the University of Copenhagen.