Surname Nickols - Meaning and Origin
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Nickols: What does the surname Nickols mean?
The surname Nickols is a derivative of the personal name Nicholas, which has its roots in ancient Greek. The name Nicholas is a combination of the Greek words "nike" meaning "victory" and "laos" meaning "people". Therefore, the name, and hence surname Nickols, is often interpreted to mean "victory of the people". In the Middle Ages, it was prominently spread across Europe due to the popularity of the saint by this name, Saint Nicholas, who is traditionally known as the patron saint of children, merchants, and sailors, among others. The surname Nickols can be found in its many variations across the globe, reflecting a wide range of cultural and regional influences. Variations include Nichols, Nicolls, Nicholls, Nicol, Nykol, Nikel, Nuckles, and many others, each with their specific phonetic and spelling factors influenced by the region or language of origin. It is important to note that surnames have evolved significantly over time, influenced by factors such as geography, social status, occupation, and more. Hence, the meanings associated with them are often historical or symbolic rather than literal.
Order DNA origin analysisNickols: Where does the name Nickols come from?
The surname Nickols is most commonly found today in the United States, primarily in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Variations of the name can be found in different parts of the United States, such as Nikols, Nickles, and Nickels. The name has also been found in European countries like Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Outside the United States, in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and England, the name is relatively uncommon. It is also possible to find the surname amongst African-American families, descended from European colonists or slaves during the 16th and 17th centuries.
The first documented instances of the name in the United States were in the late 1700s in Pennsylvania. It is likely that the name originated in Germany, with many variations found in the area. It is also possible that some of the families descended from English or Irish settlers who immigrated to the first American colonies.
Additional research shows that people with the name can be traced to the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kansas, Maryland, and Virginia. Additionally, the name can be found in New York, California, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
Overall, Nickols is a relatively uncommon surname, but is today mainly found in the United States, especially in the Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic regions. It is possible that the name could have also emigrated to other countries outside the United States, as people with the name have been traced to European countries and African countries as well. It is likely that the name originated in Germany, but the exact origin is still unknown.
Variations of the surname Nickols
The surname Nickols is derived from the Greek ‘nikos’ and the Old German ‘nikil’ meaning ‘victory’. It is found across Europe, particularly in England, Germany, Poland, Russia, Austria and Ukraine.
The variant spellings and surnames of Nickols can be quite varied. Nickoles and Nickoleson are common variants of the name. Nickels, Nickelsons, Nikoll, Nikolls, Nikolson, Nicholls, Nichol, Nicol, Nicola, Nicolson, Nickel and Nicolson are related spellings. Other variants such as Nikitin, Nikolai, Nickolay, Nikolov, Niculescu, Nicols and Nikulski can be encountered across Eastern Europe.
Nickle and Nickelson are variants which are most common in the United States. Other variants in the United States include Nichol, Nicolas, Nicole, Nickle, Nicolls, Nicholls, and Nickels. In France, variations include Nicoleau, Nicolet, Nicoletti and Nicolazzi.
In Scotland, the surnames Niall and Neilson are related to Nickols in that they derive from the same Greek and Old German origins. Nikolayenko, Nikolaev, Nikitinsky and Nikitin are also variants found in Russia. Nicklasson, Nicklauer and Niklasson are German variants of the name.
Nickols is also the 298,461st most commonly occurring surname throughout the world. Other similar surnames include Nicholes, Nickens, Nickerson, Nicolette and Nikcevich.
Famous people with the name Nickols
- Madilyn Nickols: An American dancer, singer, and actor known for her work on television series such as Blue Bloods, Codes of Conduct, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
- Donald Nickols: An accomplished martial artist who is a seven-time world champion and five-time United States champion.
- Richard Nickols: A former American football offensive lineman who played two seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL).
- Amy Nickols: An American Team USA gymnast who represented the USA at the 1998 Goodwill Games.
- Malcolm Nickols: A British film actor best known for his roles in the HBO series Band of Brothers and the television movie True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet.
- Samantha Nickols: An American singer and songwriter who rose to fame with her hit single "You Got Me".
- Tim Nickols: A Grammy-nominated country music producer/engineer who has worked with such artists as Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, and Keith Urban.
- Pete Nickols: A former NBA player who is now a basketball analyst and talkshow host.
- Adam Nickols: An American classical composer who has written several works for the Orchestras of Boston and New England.
- Sophia Nickols: A lifestyle and beauty blogger who also serves as an advocate for people living with eczema.