Surname Neckels - Meaning and Origin

Neckels: What does the surname Neckels mean?

The surname Neckels is of German origin and likely derived from the personal name Nickel. It is an occupational surname, with those bearing it originally having been a person who made or sold nails for construction purposes. It could also be derived from the German word ‘nagel’, meaning nail, or from the Middle Low German word ‘neckel’, which was a metalworker.

It is possible that the name is derived from the popular medieval name of Niccolaus, derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people.” The etymology of the name suggests a strong association with the manufacturing or selling of nails for construction purposes, however its popularity and prevalence of use could also suggest that it had a more personal association with families.

The Neckels surname may have originally been used to identify the descendants of a person of this occupational status, or to designate the origin of a family before the practise of hereditary surnames began. The widespread use of this surname reflects its prevalence in German communities, where it is still commonly used. Today, those who carry the name Neckels are likely proud to belong to a pivotal part of the builders and tradesmen of the past, whose prestige is still commemorated by the use of this name.

Neckels: Where does the name Neckels come from?

The last name Neckels is most commonly found in Germany. Neckels is a German-origin name derived from an occupational name for someone who works with money or jewelry, from the Middle High German necel, meaning "key".

Today, Neckels is a relatively uncommon name in modern Germany. The name wasn't particularly widespread even before World War II, which saw a drastic reduction in the German population due to war casualties and mass emigration. As a result, the presence of the Neckels name in Germany is limited.

The Neckels surname can, however, be found in other parts of Europe including Holland, Belgium, Denmark, and Austria. It appears to be especially concentrated in East Flanders in Belgium, where the Neckels surname is among the most commonly used family names.

In the Americas, Neckels is relatively rare. The name appears to have been spread throughout the US by German immigrants arriving in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As of 2018, there were only around 2,000 people in the US bearing the Neckels last name. Similarly, it appears as though the name has not been as widely used in Latin American countries, though there have been some who have adopted it.

Overall, it appears that Neckels is most commonly encountered in Germany, East Flanders, the US, and certain parts of Latin America.

Variations of the surname Neckels

The surname Neckels is a variant of the German and Dutch name Niekels. In some instances, Neckels is spelled as Neckles, Nickels, Niekels or even Nickel. The history of this surname is unclear, but it is believed to have origins in the Lower Rhine region of Germany, near the Dutch border.

The origin of Namen Neckels can likely be traced to the Middle Ages when people began using last names in order to differentiate between people with the same first name. Neckels could have originally been a patronymic surname, which was derived from the father's given name. Alternatively, the name could have originated from a geographic landmark or a topographic feature. In this case, it is likely that Neckels originated from the Dutch word “neckel” meaning “a hill, knoll, or raised site”.

Over time, the spelling of Neckels has varied from its original Dutch form. Some common variants of Neckels include Neckles, Nickels, Niekels, and Nickel. In some cases, these variations are a result of phonetic spelling, while in other cases, the spelling was deliberately changed in order to disguise the origins of the family.

The Neckels surname is found across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Germany and France. In the United States, Neckels is a very rare surname, though a few descendants of German and Dutch ancestors have adopted the surname.

The Neckels surname has also changed over time, giving rise to several other surnames derived from the same origin: Nieckels, Niekels, Nekkel, Nieckl, Nekel, Neckel, and Neckles. All of these surnames derive from the same source and can be traced back to the Neckels family.

Famous people with the name Neckels

• Gerrit Neckels: Dutch professional racing cyclist.
• Dian Neckels: President of the Belgian women's grass hockey and field hockey association.
• Geert Neckels:Belgian retired field hockey goalkeeper.
• Justin Neckels: American football linebacker for the University of Toledo.
• Mary Neckels: American volunteer and a Mormon church leader.
• Nelleke Neckels: Dutch left fielder in women's softball (Olympic medalist).
• Win Neckels: Belgian retired field hockey goalkeeper.
• Jan Neckels: Belgian football midfielder.
• Luc Neckels: Belgian football right midfielder.
• Joop Neckels: Dutch-Belgian boxing referee, judge, and trainer.
• Maarten Neckels: Dutch professional ice hockey goaltender.
• Adelheid Neckels: Belgian sprint canoer.
• Paul Neckels: Dutch gentleman cyclist.
• Catherine Neckels:American-born classical soprano.
• Bob Neckels: American Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Lena Neckels: Italian rower (Olympic medalist).
• Dave Neckels: American football defensive back at Brown University.
• Michael Neckels: American record producer, mixing engineer, and musician.
• Kenn Neckels: American baseball pitcher in the Major League for the Philadelphia Phillies.
• Willem Neckels: Dutch organist, music teacher, composer, and conductor.

Other surnames

NeckelNeckellNeckelmann