This very interesting name is of German origin and derives from the pre 10th century 'niuwe-gebure' - translating as 'the agricultural worker who was new to the area'. There is also a suggestion that the name could mean 'the dweller at the new house (neu-bauen), and this is possible as the name developments include Nauber, Niebur, Neuper and Nipper. The name is recorded heraldically in the original spelling from the state of Prussia, being a blue chevron between three blue knights spurs on a silver field. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Wilhelm Niebuhr which was dated C. 1680 City of Berlin, Prussia during the reign of Emperor Leopold 1 of the Holy Roman Empire 1668-1705 Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.