Swiss
names are used in the country of Switzerland in central Europe.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Moro Italian, SpanishNickname from
moro "moor" from Latin
maurus "moor, north african" and Italian variant of
Mauro.
Morreale ItalianHabitational name from the town of Monreale in Sicily, derived from Italian
monte regale meaning "royal mountain".
Morricone ItalianPossibly derived from the medieval given name
Moricius or
Moricus, derived from Latin
murex meaning "shellfish (kind used in making purple dye)" as well as "sharp stone, pointed rock".
Mosbrucker GermanTopographic name for someone who lived by a bridge over a swamp, from Middle High German mos meaning "bog", "swamp" + brucke meaning "bridge".
Mosca RomanshYounger form of
Muos-cha which was derived from Romansh
muos-cha "fly (animal)".
Moscatelli ItalianThe name Moscatelli has its origins in a type of grape called Moscatel. This grape has its origin in ancient Egypt or Greece, but it was in Italy that it became famous. Here the farmers that planted the grape became known as the Moscatelli.
Moscato ItalianVariant of the personal name Muscato, also Americanized spelling of Greek Moskatos, a metonymic occupational name for a grower of muscat grapes.
Mosel GermanHabitational name from any of several places so named. topographic name from the
Mosel river in western Germany a tributary of the Rhine that rises in the Vosges and flows through
Lorraine and then a deep winding valley from
Trier to
Koblenz.
Mosele ItalianProbably related to German
Moser, derived from
moos "moss, bog". Alternatively, could be related to the toponyms
Mosa or
Mosella, which are of Celtic origin.
Most GermanMetonymic occupational name for a producer or seller of must, i.e. unfermented grape juice, from Middle High German
most, ultimately derived from Latin
mustum vinum meaning "young (i.e. fresh) wine"... [
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Motel FrenchTopographic name from a derivative of Old French motte ‘fortified stronghold’.
Motte French, Walloon, Flemish, Germanfrom old French
motte "motte" a word of Gaulish origin denoting a man-made protective mound or moat surrounding a castle or other fortified strongholds; or a habitational name from any of the various places in France and in Belgium named with this word.... [
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Mouldenhauer GermanHas a Northern German origin, and means “bowl maker” or “carver of bowls”.
Mountbatten English, German (Anglicized)Partial calque of
Battenberg. This is the name of a British family that originated as a branch of the Battenberg family, a notable bearer of which was British statesman Lord Mountbatten (1900-1979).
Mouton FrenchNickname from Old French
mouton "sheep" used for a docile mild-mannered person for someone easily led or perhaps for a curly-haired man... [
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Möwer German (Rare)Possibly derived from Middle High German
moven "to torment, trouble, burden".
Mozart GermanThe surname was first recorded in the 14th century as
Mozahrt, and later as
Motzhardt in Germany. It is a compound word, the first part of which is Middle High German
mos, also spelt
mosz, and meaning “bog, marsh” in southern dialects (compare modern German
Moos)... [
more]
Mulè ItalianFrom Arabic
مولى (
mawlan) "guide, chief, lord, master".
Müllerleile GermanDerived from Middle High German
mülnære,
müller meaning "miller" (see
Müller), and the German given names
Lawlin,
Lauwelin and
Lawelin, medieval diminutives of
Nikolaus.
Mullinix FrenchA locational name "of de Moloneaux" probably from the noble family who trace their descent from William the Conqueror, from Molineaux-sur-Seine, near Rouen. The name came to England during the wake of the Norman Conquest... [
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Munich GermanFrom the lower German word for monk, most likely first used as a surname for a former member of a monastery.
Munk German, Scandinavian, Dutch, EnglishFrom Middle High German
münich Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish
munk Middle Dutch
munc "monk" a nickname for someone thought to resemble a monk or a metonymic occupational name for someone in the service of a monastery... [
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Münster German, Dutchhabitational name from any of the places called
Münster (in Germany) or Munster derived from Latin
monasterium "monastery" or a topographic name for someone living near a monastery.
Müsch GermanEither a habitational name from a place named Müsch in Germany, or a topographic name meaning "bog", perhaps given to someone living near a bog.
Musch Dutch, GermanFrom Middle Dutch
mussche "house sparrow", a nickname for a quick person, or perhaps someone who was small and weak.
Muskat German, JewishOccupational name for a spice merchant from Middle High German
muscāt meaning "nutmeg mace". As a Jewish name however it is mainly ornamental.
Musso ItalianNickname for someone with some peculiarity of the mouth.
Mutter German(also Mütter): occupational name for an official employed to measure grain, from Middle High German mutte, mütte 'bushel', 'grain measure' (Latin modius) + the agent suffix -er.
Nabrotzky GermanSupposedly means "lived near water". Originated from Prussia.
Nachtmann German, JewishDerived from German
nacht "night" and
mann, referring to a night watchman. As a Jewish name it is ornamental.
Nachtrieb GermanIt possibly comes from the German name of a
nachtrab, which is a "night bird like the owl". Another possible meaning is "night tribe".
Nadeau FrenchVariant of Nadal, which can be a name or the meaning "Christmas".... [
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Nadel German, JewishMetonymic occupational name for a maker of needles, or in some cases for a tailor, from Middle High German
nadel(e), German
Nadel "needle".
Nadig German (Swiss), RomanshDerived from from Old High German
(gi-)nadig "kind", this was a nickname for a kind and benevolent person.
Naitana Italian, SardinianProbably from the name of a disappeared village, itself derived from Latin
navita "sailor, navigator".
Nantz GermanFrom a pet form of a Germanic compound name formed with Nant- (for example, Nantwig, Nantger); its meaning is reflected in Middle High German nenden 'to dare'.
Napello Italian (Rare)Means "aconite, monkshood" in Italian, taken from the plant’s scientific name
Aconitum napellus, a nickname for someone considered to have an unpleasant or "poisonous" character.
Narr GermanNickname for a foolish or silly person, from Middle High German narr ‘fool’, ‘jester’.
Nasers GermanHabitational, derived from any of several places called Nesse in Oldenburg and Friesland.
Nassau German, Dutch, JewishFrom the name of the town of
Nassau in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (formerly the seat of an independent duchy in the 19th century), derived from Old High German
naz meaning "damp, wet" and
ouwa meaning "water meadow"... [
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Nasser GermanSomeone from any of the places called Nassen, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Bavaria.
Nast GermanTopographic name for someone who lived in a thickly wooded area, or a metonymic occupational name for a woodcutter, from Middle High German nast meaning "branch", a regional variant of ast, resulting from the misdivision of forms such as ein ast meaning "a branch".
Natti ItalianDerived from the Gaulish given name
Nattius, possibly derived from either Old Celtic
natu "chant, poem" or from Latin
(g)nato "born".
Nau GermanA variant of Neu; meaning "ship" or "boat."
Nault FrenchFrom a short form of various medieval personal names derived from Germanic personal names formed with wald 'rule' as the final element, in particular Arnold.
Navarre FrenchThe name means "By the sea". Originally a country of its own, located between Spain and France, Navarre became a part of France in 1284 when the Queen of Navarre married King Philip IV of France. After much war, becoming independent once again, and falling into Spanish rule, the Kingdom of Navarre is now split between Spain and France.
Necker GermanDenoted a person who lives near the Neckar River, a major tributary of the Rhine.
Neff German, German (Swiss)From Middle High German neve 'nephew', hence probably a distinguishing name for a close relation or familiar of a prominent personage.
Negro Italian, Spanish, Galician, Portuguese, JewishNickname or ethnic name from
negro "black" (continuation of Latin
niger), denoting someone with dark hair, dark eyes, a dark complexion, someone who wore dark clothes, someone who worked a job in the night, or was otherwise associated with the night.
Neher GermanAn occupational name for a tailor from a deritive of Middle Low German, 'nehen' which means 'to sew' or 'to embroider'
Neidhardt GermanFrom the Germanic given name
Nithart, which is derived from Germanic
nit meaning "ambition, hatred" and
hard meaning "hardy, brave, strong".
Nein GermanUnexplained. Perhaps from a short form of a Germanic personal name formed with an element cognate with Old High German niuwi meaning "new".
Neisser GermanGerman demonym of the town of Neisse (nowadays Nysa, in Poland), itself from the name of the river Neisse (Nysa) which runs through the city.
Nenninger GermanHabitational name for someone from Nenningen in Württemberg.
Nerz GermanFrom the German word Nerz meaning "Mink".
Nestler GermanDerived from the middle high German word
nesteler meaning "maker of string or thread".
Neubaum Germantopographic name meaning "new tree" or a habitational name from a place so named. Derived from the elements
niuwi "new"
boum "tree".
Neubert GermanDerived from the German word “neu,” meaning “new,” and the word “Bert,” which is a shortened form of the Germanic given name “Berthold,” meaning “bright ruler.” So, it means “new bright ruler”.
Neuburg GermanFrom the name of various places in Germany and Austria.
Neudorf GermanDerived from various places named Neudorf. From German neu meaning "new" and dorf meaning "village". This surname had been used by the Mennonite communities in Mexico.
Neuenfeldt GermanHabitational name for someone from places so named in Brandenburg and Pomerania, or from places in Lower Saxony or Westphalia called Neuenfelde.
Neufeld German, EnglishNeufeld is a surname of German origin, meaning "new field". It is not seldom in Germany and it is common among German speaking Mennonites from Russia.
Neuger German, French (?)Was popularized by the German community. Famous bearers include investors Win Neuger and Dan Neuger, author Christie Cozad Neuger.
Neuhaus German, JewishTopographical name for someone who lived in a new house, Middle High German niuwe hus, modern German neu Haus, or a habitational name for someone from any of several places named Neuhaus ('new house') in various parts of Germany and Austria, also in Bohemia.
Neujahr Germannickname for someone who owed feudal dues at the New Year, or sometimes a name given to someone born on that day
Neumeyer GermanGerman: distinguishing name for a newly appointed steward or tenant farmer, or one who was a newcomer to an area, from Middle High German niuwe ‘new’ + meier ‘steward’, ‘tenant farmer’ ( see
Meyer 1)... [
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Neuser German (Rare)Person who had ancestors that lived in Germany near Dusseldorf in the town called Neuss.
Neustädter GermanHabitational name for someone from any of many places in Germany and Austria called Neustadt.
Neuwirth GermanGerman and Jewish (Ashkenazic): nickname for a new innkeeper, from Middle High German niuwe ‘new’ + wirt and German neu + Wirt ‘master of a house’, ‘innkeeper’.
Neve FrenchDerived from the place name
En Nève, derived from a misdivision of Old French
en nève "in water".
Neve English, Dutch, German, Danish, SwedishUltimately derived from Old Germanic
nefo "nephew, grandson". In Middle English, it also became a term meaning "wastrel, spendthrift".
Never GermanHabitational surname denoting someone from the town of Nevern (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Germany.
Neveu FrenchRelationship name from Old French
neveu "nephew" also "grandson" used to distinguish the two bearers of the same personal name.
Nibbe GermanNickname meaning ‘beak’, or from a short form of a Germanic personal name
Nippo, composed of Old High German
nit ‘hostility’, ‘eagerness’ +
boto ‘messenger’.
Nichter German, YiddishPossibly means "negator, negate" from Middle High German
nicht meaning "not", or "sober", from Middle High German
nüchter. Perhaps it originally denoted a person who was a philosopher, judge, or bartender.
Niederhäuser German, SwissHabitational name from any of numerous places named Niederhaus or Niederhausen, denoting the lower of two dwellings or settlements or one in a low-lying position.
Niedermeier German, German (Austrian)Occupational name for a farmer who had a farm lower than the neighboring one(s). This surname and its variant spellings are common to Austria and the state of Bavaria in Germany.
Niedermeyer GermanMeans "lower farmer", a distinguishing name for a farmer who worked further south or in a low-lying location.
Niedfeldt GermanTopographic name for a person who lived by a lower area of open land, derived from Middle Low German
nider meaning "lower" and
feld meaning "open country".
Niehaus GermanNorth German: topographic name from Middle Low German nie ‘new’ + hus ‘house’; or a habitational name from a common North German and Westphalian farm name with the same meaning.
Nies GermanGerman: from a reduced form of the personal name
Dionys (see
Dennis), which was stressed on the last syllable; this was a popular personal name as a result of the influence of the French Saint
Denis... [
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Nietling GermanThe last name Nietling has its origins in Germany, specifically within the regions of Bavaria and the Rhineland. It is believed to derive from a combination of the Germanic elements "nied," meaning "low" or "beneath," and "ling," which can denote a diminutive or a person associated with a particular place or characteristic... [
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Nievo ItalianFrom
nievo "grandchild, grandson; nephew", probably used to differentiate between relatives of the same name.
Nimitz GermanDerived from Russian немчин (
nemchin) meaning "German", of Slavic origin. This surname was borne by Chester W. Nimitz (1885-1966), a fleet admiral of the United States Navy during World War II.
Nix GermanDerived from Middle High German
nickes "water sprite, elf, demon".
Noce ItalianMeans "nut" or "walnut" in Italian. Could be a topographic name for someone who lived where nut trees grew, an occupational name for a grower or seller of walnuts, or perhaps a nickname based on the bearer’s strength of character, or a physical characteristic such as brown hair or skin.
Nocito Italianfrom Latin
nucetum (Italian
noceto) "walnut orchard" applied as either a topographic name for someone who lived by such a place or as a metonymic occupational name for someone who worked in one.
Noelle FrenchNoelle is a French And Latin Name That Means Chirstmas its Also a film About A Girl Named Noelle
Noir FrenchMeans "black" in French, denoting a person with a dark complexion, or someone who habitually wears dark clothing, or a night worker.
Noll GermanFrom a short form of any of various medieval personal names derived from Germanic personal names ending in -n + wald 'rule', for example Arnold and Reinwald.
Nolte GermanFrom a short form of various medieval given names derived from Germanic given names ending with
-n and
wald meaning "rule", for example
Arnold and
Reinwald... [
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Nonnenmacher GermanOccupational name for a gelder of hogs, from Middle High German nunne, nonne meaning "nun", and by transfer "castrated hog" + an agent derivative of machen meaning "to make".
Nordio ItalianProbably derived from a given name containing the element
nord "north", of Frankish or Germanic origin.