Niwel

Niwel is a surname of Anglo‑Saxon origin that appears in English parish registers from the 14th century, mainly in the counties of Kent and Norfolk. The name is believed to derive from the Old English word “nefel,” meaning “cloud,” and may have originally described a person who lived in a misty area or had a pale complexion. In parallel, Niwel is also the name of a small settlement in the Łódź Voivodeship of Poland, with the earliest documented reference dating to the late 16th century. The dual usage reflects the independent development of the name in English and Polish contexts.

Notable individuals bearing the surname are few. Paul Niwel (1862–1924) was a London merchant listed in city directories for several decades. In the 20th century, Dr. Ewa Niwel, a Polish physician, is recorded in medical journals for her work in rural health clinics following World War II. No contemporary bearer has achieved widespread international recognition.

The Polish locality of Niwel is classified as a hamlet within the administrative district of Gmina Wielkie, situated west of the city of Łódź. According to the Central Statistical Office of Poland, the settlement has a population of fewer than 50 residents, primarily engaged in agriculture. The nearest railway station is 5 kilometres north of the hamlet, on the line connecting Sieradz and Kalisz.