Show ContentsNos History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Nos

What does the name Nos mean?

The Dutch Nos 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 Noscould 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 Nos family

The surname Nos 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 Nos family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nos 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 Nos History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nos 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 Nos family

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


Nos migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nos Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Agustus Nos, aged 21, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1837 1
  • Naatje Nos, aged 28, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 1


  1. 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)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook