Surname Nettles - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Unexpected: My iGENEA DNA Test and the Fascinating Tale of Nettles

Unraveling the tapestry woven by my ancestors has always piqued my curiosity. Therefore, when the opportunity to take an iGENEA DNA test presented itself, I plunged in, anticipating stunning revelations about my familial roots, particularly the origin of my unique surname, Nettles.

Q. Nettles

Nettles: What does the surname Nettles mean?

The surname Nettles is derived from the Old English word "netele", which means nettle, a type of plant. It is considered to be a topographic surname, given originally to someone who lived near a patch of nettles. During the Middle Ages, people often used their geographical location or topography to identify themselves, leading to the creation of these topographic surnames. Over time, these surnames became hereditary and were passed down through generations. In some cases, the name could also have been metonymic occupational for a tender of cattle, derived from the Old English "hnetl", since the plant was often used to improve the condition of pastures for cattle. This surname has different spelling variations, including Nettle, Nettell, Nettleship, and more. It is relatively common in England, particularly in the northern regions.

Nettles: Where does the name Nettles come from?

The last name Nettles is a patronymic name that has been used in many English speaking countries for centuries. It is believed to have derived from the Old Norse or Anglo-Saxon given name Netel. Today the surname Nettles is most commonly found in the United States and England.

In the United States, the surname is most numerous in states such as Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana where the earliest American Nettles families emigrated from England and Scotland. There are also high numbers of Nettles families in North and South Carolina and Virginia.

In England, Nettles is still a very common surname, but historically has been most numerous in areas such as Hertfordshire, Surrey, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Essex, and Norfolk.

The surname Nettles is also quite common in countries such as Canada, Australia, Scotland, and Wales. There is record of the surname being found in Germany, Denmark, Austria, and other parts of Europe.

For those with the surname Nettles, a number of resources can be found online that provide information about the history and meaning of the surname and offer genealogical research services.

Variations of the surname Nettles

The surname Nettles is of British origin, and has variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin that include Nettleship, Nettle, Nett, Nettlefold, Nettlestead, Nettlefield, Nettleingham, Nettlethorpe and Nettlesby. Nettles is also a variant spelling of Nettleship and Nettle, both of which have roots from the Old English elements ‘netel’ which means ‘nettle’, and ‘ship’ or ‘scip’ which means ‘shed, shelter’.

Nettles and Nettleship are the most popular variant spellings, which were first mentioned in records as early as 1320 in East Riding, Yorkshire and 1327 in County Durham, respectively.

Nettle is the oldest variant spelling, first recorded in 1227 in County Norfolk as a locational surname from the Old English elements ‘netel’ and ‘leah’, meaning ‘enclosure’, and was also known as a nickname for someone with a prickly or difficult personality. Nettlefold is a compound surname, consisting of Old English elements ‘netel’ and ‘foldan’, both of which mean ‘nettle’.

Other variant spellings include Nettlestead, which has roots from Old English ‘netel’ and ‘stede’, meaning ‘homestead’; Nettlefield, a compound surname from Old English ‘netel’ and ‘feld’, which means ‘open land’; Nettleingham which is a compound surname from Old English ‘netel’ and ‘ingaham’, which means ‘meadow house’; and Nettlesby, which was originally a habitational surname derived from a place named ‘Netlesby’ in Lincolnshire, known from the 13th century.

Famous people with the name Nettles

• Jennifer Nettles: American country music singer, songwriter, and musician, most famously known as the lead vocalist of the duo Sugarland.
• Butch Nettles: American former professional baseball player who played outfield for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees.
• John Nettles: English actor, best known for his starring roles in Bergerac (1981-1991) and Midsomer Murders (1997-2011).
• Matthew Nettles: American award-winning journalist and Associate Vice President for Marketing & Communications at The George Washington University.
• Collins Nettles: American former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1968 through 1976 for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and California Angels.
• Bryan Nettles: American former professional baseball player who played third base for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals.
• Angie Nettles: American country music vocalist, most notably as a backing vocalist for Carrie Underwood.
• Dennis Nettles: American former professional football player who played cornerback for the Green Bay Packers.
• Edmundo Nettles: American former professional basketball player who played for the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers.
• Brad Nettles: American former MLB pitcher who played for the New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants.

Other surnames

Nettle