Nagler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Nagler is a German occupational surname that evolved in the region known as the Rhineland. Germans at first used only one name, but population growth and increased travel in medieval times caused confusion between people of the same name, forcing the people to adopt hereditary surnames. These names often identified people by the kind of work they did. Nagler is a name for a carpenter, builder or a person who made or sold nails. The name Nagler is derived from the Old German word "nagal," which means "nail." There are also numerous places named Nagel in Germany.

Early Origins of the Nagler family

The surname Nagler was first found in Westphalia, where this family made important contributions toward the development of this district from ancient times. Always prominent in social and political affairs, the family formed alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation.

Early History of the Nagler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nagler research. Another 232 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1451, 1562, 1649, 1769, 1773, 1836 and 1851 are included under the topic Early Nagler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nagler Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Nagler include Nagel, Nagle, Naegel, Nageli, Naegeli, Nagell, Nagler, Nagele, Naegele, Naegelen, Negel, Negele, Nail, Neil and many more.

Early Notables of the Nagler family

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nagler Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nagler migration to Canada +

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from the Rhineland who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. Many of those who left the Rhineland to seek their fortunes in the prosperous and free New World settled in the major urban centers of the United States and Canada. In the United States, the settlers from the Rhineland passed through immigration centers like that of Ellis Island, most of them moving on to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, the majority of Rhinelanders settled in Ontario and the prairie provinces. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many important settlers to North America bearing the name Nagler, or one of its variants above:

Nagler Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Nicholas Nagler, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752

Contemporary Notables of the name Nagler (post 1700) +

Judah Nagler, American lead vocalist for the band The Velvet Teen, an Indie/Baroque Pop band
Gern Nagler (b. 1932), American former NFL football end who played from 1953 to 1961
Eric Nagler (b. 1942), American-born, Canadian musician and television personality
Louis Bernard Nagler (1871-1947), American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Wisconsin, 1940
Isidore Nagler, American politician, Representative from New York 23rd District, 1938