Surname Nisbitt - Meaning and Origin

Nisbitt: What does the surname Nisbitt mean?

The last name Nisbitt is of Scottish origin and dates back to the 10th century. It is derived from the Gaelic "neasbuit", meaning "son of the royal one." Historically, the Nisbitts were a noble family, associated with the highlands of Scotland and the Fife region.

Throughout British history, the Nisbett family was well-known for their strength and courage. In the 1500s, the Nisbitts were part of the Glasgow Martyrs who were a group of Catholics executed during the Reformation. The family was also famously associated with the Jacobite risings as many members were active in the cause.

More recently, the Nisbitts were known for their entrepreneurship and agricultural pursuits. In the mid-1800s, John Nisbitt, a landowner in Linlithgowshire, founded a prosperous agricultural business that kept the family prosperous for generations. In the same century, James Nisbett, a brilliant businessman, was the first to commercially fish for herring off the coast of Scotland.

Today, the Nisbitts are still an active and influential force in Scotland and Britain. They are known for their strong work ethic and commitment to their art, whether it be agriculture, fishing, or otherwise. They have spread all across the world, but they remain to this day a proud Scots family.

Nisbitt: Where does the name Nisbitt come from?

The surname Nisbitt is primarily found in the United Kingdom and Ireland, although it has branched out around the world. In England and Wales, the vast majority of Nisbitts are found in Lancashire and around Greater Manchester, with smaller telling concentrations in Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Cumbria, and the West Midlands. In Scotland, the Nisbitts can be found mainly around Edinburgh, as well as in Angus, Fife, and Ayrshire. They are found in even smaller numbers in other parts of the UK, including South Wales and East Anglia.

In Ireland, the surname is mainly found in County Mayo, as well as in smaller groups around Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Louth, and Sligo. There are also small branches of the family in Northern Ireland, particularly around Belfast.

Outside of the British Isles, there are several branches of the Nisbitt family in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the US the surname is mainly found around the states of Michigan, Ohio, New York, and Massachusetts. Other countries where the surname can be found include France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland.

The surname Nisbitt is a fairly common one, so you may even come across it in places where it's not typically found. As such, if you're looking for someone with the surname Nisbitt, you may have to look a bit further than usual.

Variations of the surname Nisbitt

Nisbitt is an uncommon surname, which has many alternate variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname include Nesbitt, Nissbitt, Nesbett, Nisbett, Nysbitt, and Nysbett.

Nesbitt and Nissbitt share one common source of origin. It derives from the Old English personal name "Nisbald," which means "bold as a bear." The surname is generally believed to have originated in the North of England in the 9th century.

Nesbett and Nisbett are two other variants of the surname Nisbitt. These are variants of a famous medieval surname, which was of Norman origin. The Norman form of this surname was Nesbert, which means "The Bear of Brightness." It was popularized in Britain during the 11th century as a result of the Normans' settlement in the area.

Nysbitt and Nysbett are two variants of the surname Nisbitt, which derive from an entirely different origin. This version of the name is believed to be of Welsh origin, and it means "the brave one."

In addition to these variants, there are many other surnames deriving from the same source. These include Nysworth, Nabitt, Nibet, Nibett, Neishitt, Neishutt, Neshete, Nisell, as well as other similar spellings.

Overall, Nisbitt is an uncommon surname, with many alternate variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Nisbitt

• Peter Nisbitt: Former Australian Rules footballer who played with St Kilda, South Melbourne, and Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
• Jaya Nisbitt: American musician who plays violin, cello, and piano in hip hop, classical, electronic, and world fusion music.
• Aaron Nisbitt: American basketball player who played for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Gordon Nisbitt: Canadian actor best known for playing RCMP Corporal Thomas in The Beachcombers.
• Max Nisbitt: Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League (NRL).
• Nanny Nisbitt: Scottish author and politician who wrote several books on the history of Scotland.
• Maureen Nisbitt: English actress who appeared in films and television in the 1940's and 1950's.
• Bronwen Nisbitt: Actress from New Zealand who has appeared in television series such as The Almighty Johnsons and Shortland Street.
• Bessie Nisbitt: Canadian athlete who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
• Adrian Nisbitt: Australian football player who played for both Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar in the A-League.

Other surnames

Nisbit