Family name origins & meanings
- Irish : reduced Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Naois (see McNeese).
- Americanized form of German or Dutch Nies or Neese 2.
- Henry Nees (1833–1904) emigrated from Germany to Fort Wayne, IN, in 1850, but the name was already established in North America before that date. Earlier bearers are probably of Irish origin.