Surname McNichols - Meaning and Origin

McNichols: What does the surname McNichols mean?

The surname McNichols is of Scottish origin and is derived from the name "Nicholas". It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is based on the first name of a male ancestor. The prefix "Mc" in Scottish and Irish surnames signifies "son of". Thus, McNichols generally means "son of Nicholas". The name Nicholas, deriving from Greek origins, translates to "victory of the people". This surname could have originally been given to someone who was a descendant of a person named Nicholas. Like many surnames that started out based on an ancestor's first name, it would then be passed down to future generations. Over time, this can make it difficult to trace back the specific lineage or significance of the surname, but it nevertheless provides an interesting glimpse into a family's past.

McNichols: Where does the name McNichols come from?

The last name McNichols is most commonly found in the United States, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and Ireland. Its origin is believed to be from the Celtic/Gaelic MacNicholas, which is an anglicized variant of the Gaelic name “MacNísho's”.

McNichols is typically found in higher concentrations in larger, metropolitan areas such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, and London. It is also found more frequently among younger select populations as the median U.S. age for the surname in is 31.1 years.

McNichols is believed to be an occupational surname, with its corresponding meaning likely associated with a patronymic form of "Nicholas" or "Nicholas' son". The surname is also believed to be derived from Knox, meaning "small hill". It could also be a variant of MacNicol or MacNichol, which is derived from the Gaelic Mac Neachail.

The surname McNichols can be seen primarily in English-speaking countries today, as its holders are often found in family groups living in clustered settlements for many generations. This surname is seen in varying frequencies within both small and large communities, and its holders have likely come from a variety of heritage and cultural backgrounds.

Variations of the surname McNichols

The surname McNichols can be spelled in a few different ways, including McNicholl, McNichol, McNickel, and even McKnickel. While all of these spellings have slightly different origins, they generally all fall under the McKnickel surname.

McNichols is an Irish surname which has its origin in County Mayo, where it was also known as MacNichola or Mac Ní Cearbhaill. These original forms were derived from the Gaelic personal name Cearbhall, which means 'courageous one'. The original Gaelic form of McNichols is Mac an Iomaire, which means 'son of the searcher'.

In Scotland, the McNichols surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac Nicolais, comprised of the personal name Nicols and the prefix Mac. This surname likely originated in the Highlands, and variations of MacNicolais are still used in Scotland today.

The abbreviation 'Mc' is derived from the Old Gaelic Mac, meaning 'son of', and other variations of this name include MacNickels, MacNickols, and McNickols.

It is also possible to find variants of the McNichols name in other parts of the world, due to its migration to many countries. Many non-Irish variations alike McNickel and Bettinal, for example, can be found in the United States.

Famous people with the name McNichols

• Royce McNichols: American rugby union player and coach.
• Glenn McNichols: American filmmaker and author focusing on extreme sports culture and history.
• Dan McNichols: American professional wrestler who competed as Dan Kroffat in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Horace McNichols: American civil rights advocate, environmental justice organizer and entrepreneur.
• Ryan McNichols: American basketball player who attended Penn State University.
• Raya McNichols: British journalist and talk show host.
• Brandy McNichols: American reality TV star known for her appearances on MTV's The Challenge.
• Wendy McNichols: British illustrator and artist recognized for her work with brands such as Gucci, Maison Margiela and Hermès.
• Les McNichols: Canadian retired ice hockey player who was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1974.
• Alex McNichols: American music producer who has worked with major artists such as Cardi B, Saweetie and Tory Lanez.

Other surnames

McNichol