Surname Niceley - Meaning and Origin

Niceley: What does the surname Niceley mean?

The last name Niceley is derived from the French surname Nicolas, meaning “victory of the people.” It is thought to have originated from the personal name Nicolas and was first found in the Middle Ages.

The Niceley name is primarily found in the United States and Britain, although there are also occurrences in France, Australia, and Canada.

In some cases the family name is thought to be an Anglicized version of a French personal name, indicating that the original family had moved from France to the British Isles during the 17th century. It could also have evolved from the old French word “Nicolet” meaning “little Nicholas.”

The Niceley family is believed to have been one of nobility in its early days, referred to as the House of Niceley. It is also thought to have been among the first families to settle in the colonial Virginia region during the early 1600s.

The name Niceley is still seen today in various venues and professions. It is found regularly in business, modern media, the sciences, and politics. Those with the last name Niceley may have a variety of characteristics, from strong leadership qualities to creativity and ingenuity.

Niceley: Where does the name Niceley come from?

The last name Niceley is most common in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, Niceley is the 24,942nd most common surname in the United States.

The most common state with Niceley as a last name is Tennessee. There are currently about 998 families living in Tennessee with the name Niceley. Kentucky is the second most common place of origin for Niceley families, followed by West Virginia.

The Niceley family first began in America after a member of the family emigrated from Great Britain in the 1700s. The family began in Virginia and soon spread to other states in the Southern United States.

The Niceley surname can still be found in families throughout the world governing state boundaries. In 2020, Niceley's have been traced to many different countries including Britain, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Germany, and Ireland.

Today, Niceley's are a large family, although not as large as some other families. Most of the Niceley's in the United States are either from families that have stayed in the same area for generations, or those who have migrated to new areas, carrying their surname with them.

Variations of the surname Niceley

The surname Niceley has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Nicelley, Nickely, Nikley, Nicely, Nicheley, Nickeleigh, Nickeler, Nickelry, Nickelie, Nickelo, Nicoleski, Nickless, Nickoley, Nicklosky, Niclesky, and Nicley.

The Nicelley spelling likely originated in England, Scotland, or Wales in the Middle Ages. This spelling may have also been used to differentiate between families of the same original line or indicate distinctions in nobility. Nickely, Nikley, and Nicely are all variations of Nicelley, and probably came from spelling errors, either done intentionally or by mistake.

Likewise, Nicheley, Nickeleigh, and Nickeler could have also been intentional variants used by people in order to differentiate themselves or their families, possibly implying rank or lineage. Nickelo, Nicoleski, and Nickless are all variations that could have been passed through Slavic-influenced families, as Nickelo may be an Americanization of Nikolai, or the Slavic-origin name Nikolaus, meaning “Victory of the People”.

Nickoley and Nicklosky originated from a Polish form of the name Michael, while Niclesky is a derivation of the Greek name Nicholas, meaning “victor of the people”. Finally, the surname Nicley is derived from the Latin personal name Nicolaus, also meaning “Victor of the People”.

Overall, the surname Niceley has many variations and spellings, with each likely having its own unique origin and history. It is possible that each of these different variants and spellings arose for social or family reasons, some to differentiate families of the same original line while others may be due to errors in spelling. Furthermore, many of these variations are of Slavic and Greek origins, indicating that Niceley has been a popular and widespread surname over the centuries.

Famous people with the name Niceley

• Jason Niceley: American race car driver.
• Ben Niceley: American singer-songwriter.
• Trent Nicely: American racer, known for appearances in NASCAR Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series events.
• Randall Niceley: American politician who was a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1998 to 2002.
• Gail Niceley: American country music singer-songwriter, best known for her 1971 hit single "Bicycle Man."
• Lesha Niceley: American competitive bodybuilder.
• Ashley Niceley: American figure skater who competed in ladies' singles.
• Logan Niceley: American competitive swimmer who holds world records in two events.
• Harold Niceley: American jazz vibraphonist who released five albums as a bandleader.
• Warren Niceley: an American actor, best known for his role as Father Clay on the television series Charmed.

Other surnames

Nicely