Surname Nickolls - Meaning and Origin
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Nickolls: What does the surname Nickolls mean?
The last name Nickolls is of English origin. It is an occupational name referring to someone who worked in a nail making trade. Nailers were essential to the medieval art of shipbuilding, so this name likely originated in ship-building centers of England such as Chester, Liverpool, and Hull in the north, and Dartmouth in the south. It may have been derived from the medieval personal name Nicholas, which was often used to denote someone who had taken on the nick-name of Nicholas. However, Nickolls could also be derived from either a combination of the Old English "caegel" (meaning "knife") or "naele" (meaning "nail").
In early records, the name Nickolls is found occurring in the forms Nicols, Nicoll, Nicholls, and Nickoll. The name is known to exist in records as early as the 13th century. Later variations include Nickols, Nickolski, and Nickless.
Nickolls is quite rare, and is found most commonly in the counties of Surrey and Somerset in England. Despite this, the surname has spread to certain parts of the world. People bearing this name can be found in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Currently, the estimated population of people with the surname Nickolls is 721.
Order DNA origin analysisNickolls: Where does the name Nickolls come from?
The last name Nickolls is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. It is an English surname derived from the Olde English words 'nic(k)el' and 'hols', which roughly translates to 'dweller at the nicker house' or 'dweller of the lower meadow'.
The surname has been recorded in England since the 13th century and is primarily found in southeastern and western parts of the UK – particularly in the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Sussex. Records show Nickolls as a small but not insignificant presence in these areas since the 13th century.
In the past century, the name has expanded throughout the UK, while still retaining its presence in the southeastern and western counties of England. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as Ireland, Germany, and France. Additionally, Nickolls can be found in Australia and New Zealand, likely due to settlers who emigrated during the 19th or 20th centuries.
Today, the surname has numerous variant spellings, including Nickols, Nickalls, Nicols, Nicholls, and Nickells. It is most commonly found within the United Kingdom, but can also be found in other areas with related surnames.
Variations of the surname Nickolls
The surname Nickolls has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Nickles, Nikles, Neuroch, Nikoll, Nuckells, Nickel and Nicols. Nickles is the most common variant of the surname, and is thought to have originated in Germany or Scandinavia.
Nickles is thought to be derived from the surname Nicclet, which is a variation of Nicole. Nicole is a French form of the Latin name Nicolaus, which means 'victory of the people'. The spelling Nickles was derived from the Old German word nicel meaning 'daring'.
The surname Nikles is thought to have derived from the German word nikkel, meaning 'brave warrior'. The spelling Nikoll is a variation of Nikles, while the surname Neuroch is a variant of the Greek name Neurochos, meaning 'having strength'.
The surname Nuckells is thought to have been derived from an Old English name, meaning 'the people's corner'. Nickel is a variation of the German word Nikkel, while Nicols is thought to be derived from Nichols, an Anglo-Saxon personal name.
Overall, the surname Nickolls has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Nickles, Nikles, Neuroch, Nikoll, Nuckells, Nickel and Nicols, with these names suggesting a German, Scandinavian or Anglo-Saxon origin.
Famous people with the name Nickolls
- Pollyanna Nickolls: British broadcaster, voiceover artist, filmmaker and jazz singer.
- Lauren Nickolls: English retired footballer who currently plays for WSL side Manchester City.
- Gary Nickolls: American football player currently playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
- Adam Nickolls: English sculptor, known for his realistic bronze sculptures.
- Madonna Nickolls: British songwriter, producer and composer currently signed to the Decca Records label.
- Paul Nickolls: British actor who has appeared in a variety of television shows and films.
- Jamie Nickolls: Scottish rally driver, currently competing in the World Rally Championship.
- Aidan Nickolls: Welsh footballer who currently plays for the Oxford United side in the English Football League.
- John Nickolls: English painter, known for his landscape and wildlife paintings.
- Sarah Nickolls: British singer-songwriter, currently signed to the Universal Music label.
- Rosalind Nickolls: South African actress, best known for her appearances in several films and television shows.
- Lucille Nickolls: American author, known for her debut novel The Immune Woman.
- Matthew Nickolls: Australian actor, currently making his debut in the upcoming ABC1 drama Stateless.
- Lillian Nickolls: British journalist, currently working as the managing editor of the London-based Metro newspaper.
- Steven Nickolls: English actor, playing a variety of roles in theatre, television and film.