Surname Niebuhr - Meaning and Origin

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N. Niebuhr

Niebuhr: What does the surname Niebuhr mean?

Niebuhr is a German surname, which is derived from an old German word meaning “new borough”. The name is also spelled as “Niebör” in some cases. Niebuhr appears to originate from a place-name, likely referring to a settlement or borough near a body of water.

The Niebuhr family is believed to have originated in Germany's Upper Rhine region during the Middle Ages, spreading from there to other parts of northern and western Europe. In modern times, individuals with the Niebuhr surname remain particularly prevalent in Germany but are also found in several other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In terms of famous individuals with the Niebuhr surname, the most notable is likely the German-born American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. He is regarded as one of the most influential Christian theologians of the twentieth century and is still widely referenced today in international academic discourse.

Niebuhr also has some literary associations, as it is the name of the main characters in the novel La Melodie beneath (The Melody Beneath) by British author Sarah Crossan.

While the Niebuhr surname has its historical and literary roots, its primary connection is to a once-thriving German family which likely left an indelible mark on history.

Niebuhr: Where does the name Niebuhr come from?

Niebuhr is a common surname found in Germany today, as well as in many other countries around the world including the United States and Canada. It is thought to have originated in Prussia, but given that Prussia no longer exists, it is not definitively known when and where the name originated. Historically, the surname has been found in varied spellings, including Niebur, Nieberede, Neuhäuser, Neuweger, and Neubauer.

In Germany, the name Niebuhr is especially popular in Lower Saxony, where it is among the top 200 most common surnames in the state. In many other places around the world, the name is also quite popular, including the United States, where it ranks over 55,000th in frequency nationwide. In Canada, Niebuhr is not as common as in Germany, but it is still a relatively popular surname in some areas, especially around Ontario and Quebec.

The variant spellings of the name are also commonly found, with Neuhaus, Neuber, and Neuhoff being among the most popular in Germany. The Dutch, Danish, and Swedish spellings are also quite widespread, with Nijhoff, Nyebuhr, and Nybom being some of the most frequently seen versions of the name.

In general, the surname Niebuhr is a fairly common name worldwide, and can be found in many countries around the world. It is especially popular in Germany, the United States, and Canada, but can still be found in other countries and various forms throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Niebuhr

The surname Niebuhr is an old German surname with numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Niebuhr can be spelled with an umlaut over the “u” as Niebühr, or simply Niebur. Other variants are Nieburr, Neebur, Neiburr, Neibuhr, Neibuhr, Neibur, Nibur, Nibbur, Nibburr, and Nieaber.

The surname originally meant “dweller within/at the new fortress". Many of the surnames mentioned above have developed from Niebuhr; however, they are not necessarily related to each other. Some of these include Neibur, Neibauer, Niebaum, Niebau, Nieberg, and Nieber.

Niebuhr is also a surname that has been changed through the process of immigration. For example, immigrants from Germany to North America changed the spelling of Niebuhr to Nibury, Neibauer, Neibure, Nibbure, Neuber, and Neebure.

Some names of other origins which are similar to Niebuhr include the Jewish surnames Niebarger, Neiberger, and Neiberg. People of Scottish descent may have the surname Niebourg or Niborch.

Niebuhr is a surname with a long history and many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Regardless of geographical differences, many immigrants have kept the essence of the name due to their love and respect towards their ancesters’ heritage.

Famous people with the name Niebuhr

• Reinhold Niebuhr: Born in Germany and raised in the United States, Reinhold Niebuhr was a philosopher and theologian who had a lasting impact on American religious and political thought. He served in the faculty of Union Theological Seminary for over 30 years, and his ideas about education, social justice, and Christian ethics contributed to the development of 20th century liberalism.
• H. Richard Niebuhr: H. Richard Niebuhr was a Christian theologian and the brother of Reinhold. He attended Elisabeth College in Marburg and Yale Divinity School, and served as professor of theology and ethics at Yale Divinity School for decades. He wrote many influential books, including his bestselling Christ and Culture.
• Ursula M. Niebuhr: Ursula M. Niebuhr was the wife of Reinhold and sister-in-law of H. Richard. She was a social worker, activist, and a professor of church and social ethics. She contributed greatly to the development of Theology of Culture and authored many books.
• Roland Niebuhr: Roland Niebuhr was a German journalist and editor who served as editor-in-chief of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and later went on to become the chief editor of the magazine Der Spiegel.
• Lise Niebuhr: Lise Niebuhr was a German actress and singer who appeared in numerous films and stage productions, and won numerous awards.

Other surnames

NiebuerNieburNieburg