Surname Nagels - Meaning and Origin
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Nagels: What does the surname Nagels mean?
The last name Nagels is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'nagel' which means 'nail'. This surname originally referred to a person who made or sold nails. It is also possible that the name is derived from a place name, in which case it would refer to someone who originally lived in or near Nagel.
In Germany, the last name Nagels is common in the geographical area of the Rhineland, because this area was historically industrialized and many people were involved in the metal industries such as blacksmithing, and nail-making. The earliest surviving record of the name is found in the 12th century in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Nagels is also found in other parts of Europe, mainly in countries such as Belgium, where it is found in areas that were formerly part of the Holy Roman Empire. Furthermore, the name appears to have spread beyond Europe to countries such as the United States, due to immigration at the turn of the 20th century.
Today, the Nagels family remains strong in Germany, and is by far the most common spelling of this surname. However, various other spellings exist, which include Naegels, Naegles, Nagles, and Nails. In any case, the Nagels family has a long and varied history, and likely to continue to grow and expand in the future.
Order DNA origin analysisNagels: Where does the name Nagels come from?
The last name Nagels is most common in the country of Belgium, where it was first recorded in the late 16th century. It is thought to have originated in a village in Limburg province, near the Dutch border. Currently, it's most commonly found in the provinces of Antwerp, West Flanders, and Limburg, where approximately 5,000 people bear the name.
Outside of Belgium, Nagels is of German/Dutch origin and can be found in small numbers in the Netherlands, Austria, and other parts of Western Europe. It can also be found in the United States, where it is predominantly concentrated in Pennsylvania, New York, California, and Texas.
In all countries where the surname Nagels is present, it is likely that the majority of carriers are descended from the original bearers of the name in Belgium, who in most cases settled and stayed in the area after their original migration. As such, the modern descendants of these settlers are likely to inhabit areas which were traditionally settled by their ancestors centuries ago.
Variations of the surname Nagels
The Nagels surname has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These can include Nagele, Nagle, Nagel, Nagle, Nägel, Nägele, and Ngels, to name a few.
Nagel and Nägel are two of the most common spellings of this surname. Nagel was originally written as "Naghel" in its German pronunciation. The surname Nagel comes from the Middle High German ‘nagel’, meaning "nail" or "peg". Nägel also has German roots, which comes from ‘nagel’, meaning "spear point".
Some of the other variant surnames that are related to the Nagels surname include Nägele and Ngels. Nägele is derived from the Middle High German word "Nageln," which is a derivative of "nagel" meaning "peg" or "nail". Ngels is an Anglicized form of Nägele, which is phonetically similar to the spelling of Nagel.
Nagle is also a variant of the original Nagels surname, and is a derivative of the German word ‘nagel’, meaning "nail". It is also derived from the Middle High German word ‘Nagel’, which may have referred to a person who makes nails, or who works with them.
These are some of the most popular variants for the surname Nagels. Other variants of the surname may exist, but they are not as common as these.
Famous people with the name Nagels
- Arthur Nagels: Belgian footballer who played for Racing Mechelen, Standard Liège, and the Belgium national team.
- Bertrand Nagels: Belgian cyclist, multiple winner of the Tour of Flanders.
- Charles Nagels: French painter and sculptor of the 19th century.
- Dirk Nagels: Dutch footballer, who played for the Dutch national team and professional clubs like AZ Alkmaar and NEC.
- Harry Nagels: Belgian-American painter, graphic designer, and landscape architect of the 20th century.
- Ivo Nagels: Dutch sculptor known for his abstract metallic sculptures.
- Johannes Nagels: Dutch historian and author, specialized in the Medieval and Early Modern periods.
- Louis-Félix Nagels: Belgian musician who composed classical and sacred music, organist and choirmaster.
- Martin G. Nagels: German-American physicist and aerospace engineer who was involved in the Space Shuttle program.
- Nico Nagels: Dutch painter and printmaker who uses the techniques of linocut and etching.