Surname Großnickel - Meaning and Origin
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Großnickel: What does the surname Großnickel mean?
The last name Großnickel is of German origin and is derived from two words, "groß" which means "great" or "big" and "nickel" which originally referred to "Nicholaus," an old-fashioned reference to Saint Nicholas. This combination of words thus refers to a great or big Saint Nicholas.
Historically, the name would have likely originated in Germany during the Middle Ages when it was common to name people after saints, particularly the highly revered Saint Nicholas, or "Nicholaus." Over time, the family name Großnickel evolved from the original "Nicholas."
Throughout its history, the Großnickel family name has been found in many documents, particularly the records of the family's descendants. Records reveal that the Großnickel family name can be traced back to at least the fifteenth century, specifically in the province of Bavaria and the surrounding areas.
Today, it is unclear how the Großnickel family arrived in Germany and what other countries they have visited or lived in throughout history. The Großnickel last name, however, remains a popular family name in Germany today. It is a testament to the significance of Saint Nicholas and his place as an important figure in German faith and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisGroßnickel: Where does the name Großnickel come from?
The last name Großnickel is a relatively rare name today, with less than 2,400 people across the world having this surname, according to WorldNames Public Profiler. The highest concentrations of people sharing this last name are largely in Germany and parts of the United States.
In Germany, the Großnickel surname is most prevalent in the states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, with total occurrences numbering around 400 individuals. This area is geographically located in the far east of the country. The remaining individuals with this last name originate from numerous other states in the country, including Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Berlin, Bavaria, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
In America, where the Großnickel surname first emerged due to immigration, the last name is now widespread across numerous states, including Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, California, and Texas. This migration pattern roughly mirrors the large-scale German immigration that occurred in the 19th century.
In other words, the Großnickel surname is still relatively uncommon today, with the highest concentrations of the name occurring in Germany and several parts of the United States. Nevertheless, the last name's presence is still significant enough to draw attention in countries across the world.
Variations of the surname Großnickel
The surname Großnickel is believed to be of German origin and derived from Middle High German, meaning "Great Nickel." It could also be a variation of Granichner, a Jewish name meaning "grain trader" or "grain merchant." Other variants of the name include Grossnickell, Grossnickle, Größnickel, Grenikle, Grznickel, Knoxnickel, Croznickel, Grankel, Grosnickel, Gruesnickel, Groesnickel, and Grasnikl.
The variations in spelling of this surname may suggest it has several distinct Father origins. One of them could be that it is derived from the Middle High German nickname Gruz, which means "strong." In this case, it would have become Grossnickle or Großnickel.
Another spelling variant, Knoxnickel, may refer to a variation of the German/Yiddish prefix "Knoss," meaning "nail." The prefix, which was often prefixed to occupational surnames, would have generated Knoxnickel or Kronikle. Similarly, Grznickel, which could be derived from Proto-Germanic, means "knocking," while Grankel or Grosnickel may be derived from Middle High German word "Gran," meaning "grain" or "corn."
The spelling variants for Großnickel are also seen in other countries with different spellings. In France, it is spelled Grösnikkle, while in the United States it is spelled Grossnickle. In Russia, it is spelled Grosinkl, while in Poland it is spelled Kraśnikiel. Each variant of this surname has its own unique origin and meaning, although all have the same overall meaning of "great nickel" or "metalworker."
Famous people with the name Großnickel
- Amy Großnickel: Amy is a German-born Canadian actress and musician. Her most prominent roles are in the television series Murdoch Mysteries and Heartland.
- Jan Großnickel: Jan is a German professional football player. He played for several teams in Germany, mostly in the second divisions.
- Fabian Großnickel: Fabian is a German historian, scholar and museum director. He was a director at the Frankfurt Historical Museum and is now a professor at the University of Würzburg.
- Walter Großnickel: Walter is a German architecture professor and urban designer. He was an important political figure in Erfurt and Brandenburg, and was a professor at both the Technical University of Berlin and the Weimar Bauhaus University.
- Eduard Großnickel: Eduard was a German physicist and mechanical engineer. He made major contributions to the field of electric motors and their control systems.
- Hans Großnickel: Hans is a German composer, musician, and music producer. He has written film scores for numerous movies, as well as numerous songs.
- Dietrich Großnickel: Dietrich is an Austrian historian and politician. He was a member of the Austrian Parliament and served as Vice President of the European Parliament from 1987 to 1989.
- Günter Großnickel: Günter was a German physicist who specialized in molecular physics. He was an important contributor to the field of high-field magnetism and the development of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
- Bernd Großnickel: Bernd was a German born Jewish sculptor. His works, mostly depicting animals and nature, are internationally acclaimed.
- Helmut Großnickel: Helmut was a German jurist and judge. He was a prominent figure in East Germany's legal circles and served as a judge in the Supreme Courts of East and West Germany.