The
following description of the origin of the Nieland surname was provided
to David Nieland by the Historical Research Center, Inc.
A Nieland Coat of Arms not necessarily
that of our Nieland branch
The German surname Nieland is local in origin, derived
from a particular geographical feature near which the original bearer
once lived or held land. Here the name is composed of the Old High
German "niuwi" meaning "new" and "lant"
meaning "land, territory". Thus the name indicates "one
who settled on the new land, that is, marsh land newly claimed by
drainage or land just cleared by felling of trees." Today,
Germany is well drained, but it was originally a land of vast swamps
and this fact is reflected in the number of German surnames rooted
in words referring to marshes, swamps, water and mud. However, Nyland
is also the name of a small town in Germany and therefore it is
also possible that this surname demotes an inhabitant of this town.
Variants of this surname include Nielandt, Neuland and Nieländer.
The Nieland coat of arms was described as follows:
Origin: Germany. Azure [blue], issuing from a mount of three [three
hills], a man vested, hair and beard argent [silver], a hairband
with the ends flowing to either side, holding an annulet sable [black
ring] in front of his chest with both hands. A vol per fess alternating
azure and gold.
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