Surname Nickley - Meaning and Origin
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Nickley: What does the surname Nickley mean?
The last name Nickley is believed to be a variant of the name Nickell, which is a surname of English origin. The name is believed to have originally derived from the given name Nicholas, which is a Greek name meaning “victor of the people”.
The name Nickley is likely derived from the traditional given name Nicholas, which is of Greek origin. As such, the name could hint at having roots in Greece, or with people of Greek descent. It may also suggest that the bearer of this surname may have ancestors who were victorious warriors or political leaders, or otherwise held a high social position.
Nickley is an uncommon surname and is found throughout the United States and other English-speaking countries. It is estimated to have around 393 occurrences of the name, which is not very common given the number of immigrants from England who have kept the surname for past generations.
The surname Nickley is not only a representation of family heritage, but could also be seen as a sign of strength, and an indicator of success. In a modern sense, the name could stand for one’s ability to be victorious in achievement and pursue personal ambition.
Order DNA origin analysisNickley: Where does the name Nickley come from?
The last name Nickley is actually not particularly common today. It can traced back to its origins in France, specifically, Provence. It's most likely derived from the French "nickarre," an archaic word for a young man or soldier. It is believed to have become an established surname some time in the late 1400s to early 1500s.
Today, the surname Nickley is primarily found in regions of Europe, specifically Germany, Austria, and France. It is also found in some smaller populations in the United States, mostly in states such as New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Ancestry.com states that the last name is rarely found in any specific concentration areas in the United States. This means that Nickley isn't as common a name in the US as it was centuries ago. The surname is also quite uncommon in Europe, although there are small pockets of Nickleys in some cities and towns.
Although it isn't particularly common, Nickley is still a unique and interesting surname to have. Its decades-old French roots give it an air of authenticity and intrigue. It's definitely a name to be proud of!
Variations of the surname Nickley
The surname Nickley can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Nickley, Nickel, Nickell, Nickels, and Nickelsin. The origin of this surname is believed to be Scottish, deriving from either the Anglo-Saxon given name 'Nichola' or the Old Gaelic name ‘MacNikill’.
The given name ‘Nichola’ is derived from the Greek name ‘Nikolaos’, composed of the elements ‘nike’, meaning ‘victory’, and ‘laos’, meaning ‘people’. This was popularized in medieval Europe as the name of St. Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop of Myra in Lycia, who was celebrated in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
MacNikill is an anglicized spelling of the Old Gaelic name ‘MacNicill’, which is derived from the Old Gaelic word ‘nicill’, meaning ‘little champion’. This referred to a strong and courageous individual who successfully defended their friends, family or group from danger or enemies.
Other variants of the surname Nickley include Nickelsman, Nickles, Nickeland, Nickleson, and Nicholeson. These variants can also be found in spellings ending in -son, -sonne, -ssen, -sen, and -mann, indicative of the patronymic naming system found in the British Isles.
All the variants of the surname Nickley are derived from similar given names or Old Gaelic words. These roots, combined with the patronymic naming system, demonstrate how this surname has developed and traveled around Europe over time.
Famous people with the name Nickley
- Tim Nickelle: An American actor and producing artist.
- Bernie Nickley: A television series writer and producer.
- Nicole Nickley: An American singer/songwriter.
- Matt Nickelle: An American actor and producer.
- Patrick Nickley: An American actor, producer, and director.
- Joe Nickley: A professional baseball player.
- Alexis Nickley: An American model, beauty queen, and reality TV star.
- Rod Nickelle: A former basketball player.
- Jeff Nickley: A former NBA player.
- Aubrey Nickley: An American professional mascot performer.