Find out how popular the last name Nieh is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Nieh.

Nieh, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Nieh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nieh in America

Nieh is the 80678th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nieh surname appeared 235 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Nieh.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nieh to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Nieh

The surname "NIEH" is of German origin, with its roots tracing back to the 15th century. The name is believed to have originated from the Middle German word "niehen," which means "to bend" or "to bow." This suggests that the surname may have been initially given to individuals who worked as benders, such as blacksmiths or metalworkers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the town of Nuremberg, where a certain Hans Nieh was mentioned in a local tax record from the year 1487. This document suggests that the Nieh family had already established themselves as residents of the region by that time.

In the 16th century, the surname appears to have spread to other parts of Germany, with records indicating the presence of Niehs in cities like Frankfurt and Leipzig. During this period, variations in spelling, such as "Niehe" and "Nieher," also emerged.

Notable individuals with the surname "NIEH" throughout history include Johann Nieh (1589-1663), a renowned German Lutheran theologian and author of several influential works on Protestant theology. Another figure was Wilhelm Nieh (1712-1784), a prominent German architect who designed several notable buildings in the Baroque style across various German cities.

In the 19th century, the Nieh surname gained recognition through the works of the German writer and philosopher Friedrich Nieh (1821-1891). His literary contributions, particularly in the fields of aesthetics and cultural criticism, earned him a respected place in the intellectual circles of his time.

The annals of history also mention Karl Nieh (1875-1945), a German businessman and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the chemical industry in the early 20th century. His innovative approach to manufacturing processes and business strategies helped establish his company as a leader in the field.

Another notable figure was Sophie Nieh (1897-1976), a German painter and sculptor known for her distinctive style and contributions to the Expressionist movement. Her works were widely exhibited and celebrated across Europe during the interwar period.

While the surname "NIEH" has its origins in Germany, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchanges. However, its historical roots and significance can be traced back to the German-speaking regions, where the name has held a prominent place in various fields throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nieh

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Nieh.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Nieh was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Nieh has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Nieh was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nieh, please contact us.

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