Surname Nankivelle - Meaning and Origin

Nankivelle: What does the surname Nankivelle mean?

The surname Nankivelle is of Cornish origin, deriving from the region of Cornwall in the United Kingdom. This surname is toponymic, meaning it is derived from a place name. Nankivelle likely comes from the old Cornish words “nans,” meaning valley, and “kivel,” meaning smith, thus may translate to "smith's valley". It is also possible that it refers to a specific location or a landmark within a valley.

Alternately, some sources suggest the name may come from "nans," and “kivell,” an old Cornish word which could mean "horse," thus the name might mean "valley of the horse."

Like many surnames, variations in spelling exist, including Nankivell, Nancivell, Nankivel, and others. The interpretation should be taken as an approximation as exact translations and meanings can be lost or altered over the centuries. It is also worth noting that surnames, particularly those of Celtic origin, often have multiple interpretations based on historical linguistics and regional dialects.

Nankivelle: Where does the name Nankivelle come from?

The last name Nankivell is a relatively uncommon name, primarily found in Australia and parts of the United Kingdom. Today, the last name Nankivell can be most commonly found in the USA, where it is heavily concentrated in the Midwest and Northeast.

According to information obtained from US Census records, the last name Nankivell is particularly strong in the states of Ohio, Kansas, and Nebraska. In these states, the Nankivelle surname is associated with mixed origins, including French, English, Irish, and Scottish.

The last name Nankivell can also be found in the United Kingdom, primarily in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. In its home region of the UK, the name is associated mainly with English and Irish roots.

Tracing the story of the Nankivell name back even further, the origins of it can be found in Brittany, France where, in the 9th century, a noble family took the name as their own. Today, the Nankivelle name is largely associated with the Breton-English descent and is not uncommon.

In summary, the last name Nankivell is an uncommon yet well-distributed name. In the US, it is largely found in the Midwest and Northeast regions, while in the UK, it is concentrated in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Its historical roots, meanwhile, can be traced back to Brittany, France in the 9th century.

Variations of the surname Nankivelle

The surname Nankivelle is shared by people from many different countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Denmark, and the United States. Variants of the surname, which are also found in these countries, include Nankevill, Nanciville, Nancivel, Nancivell, and Nankevile.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the surname Nankevill is a derivative of the original form of the name, Nankivelle. In Ireland, it was often Anglicised as Nancivel, which is of Norman-French origin. It is thought to have derived from a family named de Nanciville, a Norman family who lived in southern Ireland.

In France, a form of the name can be found spelled as Nankevile, Nancivil, or Nancivel. The name is found mostly in the Brittany region of France. Nanciville is believed to have its origins in the Latin for ‘new town’, cillum novum.

In Germany, the surname is found spelled as Nankivell or Nancivell. This form of the surname is believed to have been borne by a family from the Bavarian region of Germany and are thought to have been of Gallic origin.

In the United States, the surname Nankevile can be found in many states, although it is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania and Virginia. It is believed to have been brought to the United States by immigrants from the British Isles, France, and Germany.

Regardless of the country of origin, the surname Nankivelle is fairly rare, but often has relatives who share the same spelling all around the world.

Famous people with the name Nankivelle

• Gavin Nankivelle: British rower who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the men's eight.
• Gary Nankivelle: British footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Grimsby Town and Colchester United.
• Tony Nankivell: Australian actor known for his roles in the TV show All Saints and the films Kiss or Kill and Kiss My Ass.
• Mitch Nankivelle: Canadian actor and model best known for his role in the television series televisual presentation The Unit.
• Jo Nankivell: British swimmer and double European champion in 1994.
• William Nankivell: Australian physicist who made major contributions to 20th century physics.
• Justin Nankivelle: British fashion photographer who has shot campaigns for some of the biggest names in the industry.
• Don Nankivell: Canadian actor and producer best known for his roles in the critically acclaimed film Room and the popular television series Continuum.

Other surnames

Nankivell