Nikkel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The rich and ancient history of the Nikkel family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from the personal name Nicholas. The Latin form of this name was Nicolaus, and it was derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, which is derived from the words nikan, which means to conquer, and laos, which means people. 1 However, the name is best remembered by an American corruption of his name: Santa Claus. The surname Nikkel uses the patronymic suffix -son.

Early Origins of the Nikkel family

The surname Nikkel was first found in Cumberland and Northumberland where "most families of this name trace." 2

"With few exceptions confined to the northern half of England, being most frequent in Cumberland and Northumberland, and afterwards in Durham and in the adjacent parts of Yorkshire. From the north of England the Nicholsons and Nicolsons have extended into the Scottish border counties, especially into Dumfriesshire." 3

Early History of the Nikkel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nikkel research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1443, 1446, 1489, 1544, 1547, 1655, 1663, 1669, 1683, 1688, 1694, 1698, 1712, 1714, 1720, 1725, 1728 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Nikkel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nikkel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Nikkel have been found, including Nicholson, Nichaelson, Nichalson, Nicherson and others.

Early Notables of the Nikkel family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nikkel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nikkel family to Ireland

Some of the Nikkel family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nikkel migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Nikkel, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

Nikkel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margaret Nikkel, aged 7, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1876 4
Marie Nikkel, aged 3, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1876 4
Sarah Nikkel, aged 4, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1876 4

Nikkel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Jacobus Nikkel, aged 56, who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Noordam" from Rotterdam, Netherlands 5
Cornelia Nikkel, aged 24, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Noordam" from Rotterdam, Netherlands 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Nikkel (post 1700) +

The Rev. Dr. Marc R. Nikkel (1950-2000), American Episcopal priest, artist, author, teacher and missionary to the Sudan
Betty June "B.J." Nikkel, American politician, Member of the Colorado House of Representatives (2009-)
Waldemar H. Nikkel, American Republican politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Macomb County 2nd District, 1954 6

The Nikkel Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per Castra ad astra
Motto Translation: Through the camp to the stars.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html