SURNAME:
If you go through the Surname Message Boards for the listings of: KNEIS-KNEISEL-KNEISLEY-KNEISS-KNEISSL-KNICELEY-KNICELY-KNICKLE-KNIESS-KNISE-
KNISELEY-KNISELL-KNISELY-KNISEY-KNISLEY-NEIS-NEISS-NICE-NICEL-NICELEY-NICELY-NICLEY-NUSS-NUSSLE. I am sure you will come to the same conclusion that these are variations of spelling of ONE surname. Most with the pronunciation as NICELY probably originating circa 1550 in Switzerland as NUSSLI. Good Luck!
ddeise@verizon.net