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Neander

Neander is a German surname and a place-based name associated with the Neander Valley in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The Neander Valley—called Neandertal in German and Neanderthal in English—is a river valley near Mettmann that became famous in the 19th century after fossils of an archaic human species were found there in 1856. The fossils were later assigned to Homo neanderthalensis, and the term Neanderthal became widely used in anthropology and popular culture to refer to this group of early humans. The English spelling Neanderthal is common, while the German form Neandertal is used in German-language contexts.

In addition to its geological and paleontological significance, Neander is a surname of German origin. It appears

See also Homo neanderthalensis and Neandertal.

in
genealogical
records
and
biographical
references
for
individuals
with
various
professions,
including
scientists,
artists,
and
public
figures.
The
name
is
found
in
German-speaking
regions
and
among
descendants
of
German
emigrants.