Surname Neesse - Meaning and Origin

Neesse: What does the surname Neesse mean?

The last name Neesse is of German or Dutch origin and derived from a given name, most likely from the Germanic personal name Anselm. This name is composed of two elements, ans, meaning "god," and helm, meaning "helmet"; thus, Anselm's meaning is "divine helmet." As a surname, Neesse most likely originated as a patronymic name from a son of Anselm, indicating "son of Anselm" or "son of the divine helmet."

The name Neesse is still used today, primarily in Germany and the Netherlands, but also in parts of the United States and Canada. Some variations of the name include Nesse, Nieße, and Nees.

The use of the name in the United States likely began when German immigrants settled in the Midwest and the East Coast during the 1700s, as well as during waves of German immigration during the 1800s. Many of those immigrants adopted Americanized versions of the name to make it easier for themselves and their children to fit in with the dominant culture of their new country. Another small pocket of Neesse families can be found in Canada, primarily in the Province of Ontario.

In general, the Neesse surname is most often associated with a strong work ethic and a deep sense of loyalty to family. The modern-day Neesse family is filled with people who are hard-working, generous, and compassionate. They are proud of their Germanic heritage and strive to make their mark on the world and make positive contributions to society.

Neesse: Where does the name Neesse come from?

The last name Neesse is most commonly found in Germany today. According to the Namenkompass database of the German telephone directory, the last name Neesse was located over 120 times. It was found in all of the German states with the highest frequency being in the former states of Westphalia, Hanover, and Prussia. Neesse is also an uncommon last name in the United States. It was reported in the 2000 census as being the 2,037th most common surname in the United States, with 1,148 individuals sharing the name. The highest concentration of the surname Neesse in the United States was found in Minnesota—specifically in the five-county radius surrounding the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. In addition to Germany and the United States, the last name Neesse is prevalent in smaller numbers in Austria, France, and other countries across Europe.

Variations of the surname Neesse

Neesse is a surname of Germanic origin, and can be spelt and pronounced a variety of ways. One common variant is Neece, while Nease is another popular spelling. Neese, Neise, Nees and Niese are other surnames from the same origin.

The most common form of the name, however, is Neesse. This spelling is used by many descendants of German immigrants, mostly from regions such as Hannover, Prussia, and Baden-Württemberg. Variations of the name include Neesen, Neessen, Nesen, Neses, Neessen, and Neess.

Many surnames related to Neesse also have a location-based origin, as is common among early Germanic surnames. Neese is derived from the Middle High German “niessen” (“near”), indicating a proximity to a particular geographical area. Similar names include Neiser (from Lower Rhine German “niesser”, which means ‘one who guards from or lives near a wetland’), Niese (from the Old High German for ‘neighbor’), and Nischel (from ‘nisch’, meaning small pond).

Neesse is also the shared root with other related surnames, including Neessen, Neess, and Neeser. All of these names often appear in records from the 18th and 19th centuries in areas such as Germany, the Netherlands, and even the United States, as immigrants from these regions brought the name with them.

Beyond the many variants of the Neesse surname, its variants and spellings are an indication of the family’s history and origins. While the name has adopted numerous forms over the years, its origin as a Germanic name remains consistent.

Famous people with the name Neesse

• Robert P. Neesse: Robert was a Wisconsin State Senator in the 1920s.
• B.B. Neesse: B.B. was an American basketball coach, known for coaching the New Jersey Generals in the 1930s.
• Paula Neesse: Paula is a German actress, director, writer, and theatre artist who has appeared in television shows and films such as “Lola Rennt” and “Good Bye, Lenin!”.
• Michael Neesse: Michael is a German music producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who’s produced for acts such as Nena, R.E.M., and Eurythmics.
• Eberhard Neesse: Eberhard is a German clockmaker and inventor who created the Neesse watch design.
• Dorothy Neesse: Dorothy was an American artist and educator who studied at Columbia University and was a founder of the Art Institute of Chicago.
• Miho Neesse: Miho is a Japanese actress and model who has appeared in television shows such as “Rookies” and “Switch Girl!!”.
• Margaret Neesse: Margaret is an American artist and sculptor whose works are displayed in galleries and museums across the country.
• Amy Neesse: Amy is an American sociologist and professor at Columbia University who focuses her research on a variety of topics, including gender & sexuality, education, and poverty.
• Thomas Neesse: Thomas is a German graphic designer and painter who has done notable work for Adidas, Nike, and Volkswagen.

Other surnames

NeessNeessen