Surname Nikels - Meaning and Origin
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Nikels: What does the surname Nikels mean?
The last name Nikels is of German origin and is derived from the name Nickel, which was a common name for one who was responsible for the production of metal goods. The word itself is derived from the Latin root word ‘nickeus’, meaning ‘to conquer’.
In Germany, the name was given to a smith who forged steel with sulfur, and as such, was highly esteemed. Individuals with this last name were often employed for government work in the middle ages, producing items of jewelry and armory for the nobility.
Today, the Nikels family name is predominantly found in North America. Its North American roots can be traced back to the early 1700s, when many German immigrants began settling in Pennsylvania. While their ancestral spelling of Nickel has been adapted to Nikels in North America, the family remains closely related, with many members belonging to long lineages.
Despite the origin of the Nikels name, many contemporary members of the family have no connection to its strong forging and government work roots. Instead, many today use the last name to express their pride in their ancestry and unique family identity. Further, the name Nikels has become well-known for its association with quality craftsmanship and is used to represent the excellence of the working class.
Order DNA origin analysisNikels: Where does the name Nikels come from?
The last name Nikels is primarily concentrated in Germany, where it ranks among the top 2,100 surnames. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries. The name is less common outside of German-speaking regions. Nikels is believed to be derived from the German word "nickel" meaning victorious knight, so it was likely adopted by a renowned warrior in the past. The Nikels family in Germany is known to originate from the small town of Viersen in North Rhine-Westphalia, so it is possible that the surname is limited to this region. In the United States, the name is extremely rare, with only a handful of families bearing the name on record. People well known by the Nikels name include Albrecht 'Al' Nikels (an American football player), John Nikels (an American actor), and Krista Nikels (a Canadian theatre director).
Variations of the surname Nikels
The surname Nikels can have many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Common variations when translated from the German language include Nickel, Niekel, Nikel, Nickl, Niegle, Niqul, Niquel, Niquill, Nykel, Nückle, Nuckel, Nöckel, and Nyckel. When translated from other languages, the surnames can look completely different from the original spelling. For example, in Dutch, the surname can be spelled as Niekle or Nikkels; in French, as Nicquel; in Yiddish as Nykol, Nickeles, or Niykel; in Greek as Nikoles or Nikelles; and in Spanish as Niqueles or Nico. Variations can also arise due to individualized regional pronunciations or intentional name changes.
When looking at early records, it is important to consider different spellings due to the fact that at the time record-keeping was not as comprehensive and accurate as it is today. Many surnames were spelled differently depending on the record-keeper, so they might appear with various spellings in different documents. Different surnames can also come from the same original name due to intentional or accidental changes that occurred from one generation to the next.
Thus, when looking at the surnames Nikels, it is important to remember that many different variations, spellings and surnames might all be connected to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Nikels
- Jamie Nicalek: Professional dancer and television actor
- Margo Nikkel: Canadian journalist
- Bonda Nikkel: German actor 4.Don Nikel: American sculptor 5.Tony Nikel: Academy Award nominated producer 6.David Nikels: American computer scientist 7.Frank Nikels: English engineer 8.Sally Nikels: Canadian voice actor 9.Olia Nikels: Ukrainian computer artist 10.Garry Nikels: American politician