Surname Nailor - Meaning and Origin
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Nailor: What does the surname Nailor mean?
The surname Nailor is of English origin and is an occupational name for a maker of nails, derived from the Middle English "naylere". It’s similar to other occupation-based surnames like Smith, Baker, or Cooper. These names originated in the Middle Ages, when it was common to be named after one’s profession. The name Nailor, therefore, would have been used to identify people who manufactured nails, indicating that an ancestor likely held this job. These kind of surnames gave an immediate form of identity to the person such as their occupation, geographical location, or even identification of their father (patronymics). So basically, the last name Nailor was used for people who crafted nails in the medieval period.
Order DNA origin analysisNailor: Where does the name Nailor come from?
The last name Nailor is most commonly found in the United States and in England. In the U.S., it's most commonly found in the northern states, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. In England, Nailor is especially common in the south and east of the country, with some pockets in the Midlands and further north.
Nailor is an old English name, derived from the Old English word “nagelor,” which means “nail-smith.” It was a name given to a maker of nails, and it's believed to have originated in Devon, England. Records of the name date back to 1327 in the Charter Rolls of Berks County.
Today, the Nailor family is an extended one, and it continues to grow. It's not just a surname for people living in the U.S. or England anymore; members of the Nailor family are spread across the globe, including in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. And in certain areas, the surname is still held in high regard; Nailor schools, businesses, sports teams, and even neighborhoods have started to appear throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Nailor
Nailor is a surname of English origins that originated from the Middle English word neler, meaning “nail maker.” First found in Yorkshire, where they settled after the Norman Conquest by William of Normandy in 1066, the name derived from someone who made nails for a living.
Variants of the surname Nailor include Nayler, Neale, Neall, Nealer, Neil, and Neill. All of these variations are derived from the Middle English word neler.
Spellings of the Nailor surname vary slightly based on the dialect of English from the region of origin. Early spellings of Nailor included Naylare, Nayler, and Nealar. During the 16th and 17th centuries, spelling variations began to be more standardized, such as Neale, Neil and Neill. Spelling variations of Neall and Nealer can also be found.
Surnames of similar origin but with a different spelling include Naylor, Naylors, Neller, and Nylles.
Overall, the surname Nailor is a marker of English origins and the origin of many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The spelling of the Nailor surname has evolved over time and continues to do so as it is passed down through generations.
Famous people with the name Nailor
- Brandon Nailor: Brandon Nailor is an American football player for the New England Patriots. He has also played for the Washington Redskins and was initially signed by them in 2019.
- John Nailor: John Nailor was an American professional baseball player, known for playing with the Pittsburg Alleghenies in the National League from 1884 to 1896.
- Bill Nailor: Bill Nailor was an American football player who was active in the 1980s and was a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins and Houston Oilers.
- John Nailor Jr.: John Nailor Jr. was an American football player who was mainly active in the 1990s and is known as the wide receiver of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills.
- Mal Nailor Sr.: Mal Nailor Sr. was an American football player who was mainly active during the 1950s and who played as a halfback and defensive back for the Cleveland Browns.
- Mal Nailor Jr.: Mal Nailor Jr. is an American football coach who has been active since the 1980s and who coached the team at Southern University.
- Sam Nailor: Sam Nailor was an American professional baseball player, mainly active in the National Association from 1874 to 1882. He was mainly a catcher for the Indianapolis Blues and the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.
- Abra Nailor: Abra Nailor is an American professional golfer who is active in the LPGA since 2013.
- Gorden Nailor: Gorden Nailor is an American football coach who is currently the head coach of Minnesota-Duluth.
- David Nailor: David Nailor was an American basketball player who played at the University of Michigan from 1973 to 1977.