Surname Nickells - Meaning and Origin
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Nickells: What does the surname Nickells mean?
The last name Nickells is an English surname of geographical origin. The surname is derived from the Old English noun nicul, which described a narrow strip of land, or a piece of meadow or pasture-land. The suffix -els was added to denote some sort of settlement or dwelling, so Nickells likely referred to someone living in or near a narrow strip of land.
The Nickells surname is first found in Cheshire, England, with the earliest records appearing in the 13th and 14th centuries. Those bearing the Nickells family name were believed to be descended from William de Nuckel, a knight who lived in the early 12th century. Later records indicate that the family held estates in the same area from at least the 15th century onwards.
The Nickells were a long-standing family in the area and enjoyed a distinctive reputation as farmers and landowners. Records show they were quite wealthy, respectable, and involved in various areas of commerce and trade. Over the centuries, descendants of the McGiel family spread across the country and around the world, showing up in Australia, the United States, Canada, and even India. Today, the name has lost its original meaning of “dweller at the narrow strip of land” as it has been adopted as a surname by numerous families who did not originate from the area in question.
Order DNA origin analysisNickells: Where does the name Nickells come from?
The last name Nickells is most commonly found in Canada and the United States. In Canada, the most common provinces with this surname are Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. The highest concentration of the name is currently in Ontario, where the Nickells population makes up about 0.02% of the total population. In the U.S., Nickells is more geographically distinct, with the highest concentrations in the South, particularly in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. This surname also appears in small numbers in states in the Midwest and parts of the East Coast. Nickells is an uncommon name in other countries though it does appear in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
In terms of its origin, Nickells is generally thought to be an occupational name. Nickells or Nickels may have been the name of a hangman, or one who worked in the keep of a castle. Alternatively, it might also have been derived from a place name with “nickol” (or nook) meaning a corner. However, the exact derivation of the name is uncertain.
The spelling of Nickells can also vary, the name being spelled Nickels as well as Nickells. The name can also be seen with other variations like Nickles, Nickleson, and Niccols, and Nicholls.
Overall, Nickells is an uncommon, though widespread, surname in Canada and the United States. It is thought to be of occupational origin, likely being the name of a hangman. Although Nickells is not a very popular surname, it still has a presence in parts of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Variations of the surname Nickells
The surname Nickells is of patronymic origin where an individual derived their surname from the first name of their father. Variants of Nickells include Nickel, Nickels, Nichols, Nickles, Nicholls, McNichol, Mcnicholl, McNickel and MacNickel.
Nickel is a spelling variation found mainly in Germany, and is also seen as the Dutch variant Nickels. The uncommon form Nichols is most commonly found in the United States and can be pronounced either as 'Nick-ulls' or 'Nigh-kulls'. Nickles is a British form of the surname often seen in East Anglia in England.
Another variant of Nickells, Nicholls, is primarily found in Wales and is a patronymic form derived from the given name Nicholas. McNichol (or Mcnicholl) is a variation of Nicholls/Nickells typically found in Scotland. These variants and spellings are derived from the ancient Gaelic 'Mac Neacail' meaning 'Son of Nicholas'. Other Scottish renditions of Nickells include Mcnickel (or Macnickel) and Macnickels.
Overall, variants or spellings of Nickells are numerous and widespread, being found both in Europe and the United States.
Famous people with the name Nickells
- Ben Nickells: Former professional NFL player and one of the first drafted African-American players to integrate the NFL in 1951.
- Estelle Nickells: Singer and songwriter, as well as a professional pianist, vocalist, and recording artist.
- Matt Nickells: Former professional NBA player.
- Kate Nickells: Race car driver and one of the few females to compete in the NASCAR and IndyCar Series.
- Jack Nickells: Award-winning photographer and director with a strong fine art background.
- Rosemary Nickells: Renown British operatic soprano and lyric coloratura.
- Tom Nickells: Award-winning British actor and publisher.
- Jeffrey Nickells: American scientist with a specialization in cell signaling and gene regulation.
- John Nickells: British Academy Award-nominated film composer.
- Bruce Nickells: Emmy Award-winning art director and production designer.