Niess History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
Germany

Etymology of Niess

What does the name Niess mean?

The Dutch Niess surname was originally a habitational name, taken on from any of various places in Friesland called Nes, or similar names. These place names come from the word "nes," which meant a "spit of land."

Alternatively, the name Niesscould have been a Dutch local name as in 'the dweller at-the-ash' from residence beside an ash tree. The preposition 'van' is found especially with habitation names.

Early Origins of the Niess family

The surname Niess was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in South Holland, a province of Holland, the most crowded province of the Netherlands. The principal cities are Rotterdam, Leyden and Shiedam. Noted is the famed castle of Teilengen where Jacqueline of Bavaria is buried. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

A long standing family in America, Albert and Grietje van Nes were listed as a residents of Amerfoort and then moved to Breuckelen (Brooklyn) to be near the ferry to Manhattan in 1653.

Early History of the Niess family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Niess research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1626, 1645, 1655, 1667, 1693, 1771 and 1841 are included under the topic Early Niess History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Niess Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ness, Nes, Neser, Nesse, Nessen, Nessel, Nest, Nesh, Neste, Netz, Nas, Nass, Nos, Noss and many more.

Early Notables of the Niess family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Niess Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Niess migration to the United States +

Niess Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Elisabetha Niess, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1752
Jacob Niess, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1748 1
Johan Henrich Niess, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1752 1
Theobald Niess, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1752 1
John Niess, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1762 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Niess Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Wilh Niess, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 1
Franz Niess, who arrived in New York, NY in 1851 1
Friedericka Niess, aged 20, who arrived in South Dakota in 1889 1
Heinrich Niess, aged 13, who arrived in South Dakota in 1889 1
Dorothea Niess, aged 22, who landed in South Dakota in 1889 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Niess migration to Australia +

Niess Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Niess, aged 26, a mason, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "John Banks" 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Niess (post 1700) +

Robert J. Niess, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State Senate 33rd District, 1962 3

Sources +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
South Australian Register Wednesday 30th May 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) John Banks 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/johnbanks1855.shtml
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html