Show ContentsNagle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Nagle 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. Nagle is a name for a carpenter, builder or a person who made or sold nails. The name Nagle is derived from the Old German word "nagal," which means "nail." There are also numerous places named Nagel in Germany.

Early Origins of the Nagle family

The surname Nagle 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 Nagle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nagle 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 Nagle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nagle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Nagel, Nagle, Naegel, Nageli, Naegeli, Nagell, Nagler, Nagele, Naegele, Naegelen, Negel, Negele, Nail, Neil and many more.

Early Notables of the Nagle family

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

Nagle Ranking

In the United States, the name Nagle is the 2,931st most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1


United States Nagle migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nagle Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Martin Nagle, who arrived in Virginia in 1701-1702 2
  • David Nagle, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 2
  • Jan Nichol Nagle, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 2
  • Jaochim Nagle, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
  • John Jacob Nagle, who arrived in New York, NY in 1750 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nagle Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • P Nagle, aged 22, who arrived in America in 1822 2
  • S Nagle, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
  • R Nagle, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1856 2
  • Lewis Nagle, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1856 2
  • M Nagle, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1856 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nagle Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Bernard Nagle, who landed in Arkansas in 1904 2

Canada Nagle migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nagle Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Nagle, aged 6, who landed in Canada in 1823
  • Mary Nagle, aged 32, who arrived in Canada in 1823
  • Maryanne Nagle, who landed in Canada in 1823
  • Michael Nagle, aged 35, who arrived in Canada in 1823
  • Morris Nagle, aged 3, who landed in Canada in 1823
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Nagle migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Nagle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Nagle, aged 15, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Elgin" 3
  • Margaret Nagle, aged 16, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Elgin" in 1849 3
  • Martin Nagle, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Lysander" 4
  • Thomas Nagle, aged 25, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Sultana" 5
  • William Nagle, aged 22, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Thetis" 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Nagle migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Nagle Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Captain Nagle, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Diana" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th July 1840 7
  • Mrs. Nagle, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Diana" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th July 1840 7
  • Child Nagle, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Diana" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th July 1840 7
  • Nicholas Nagle, aged 45, a farm labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867
  • Kate Nagle, aged 47, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Nagle (post 1700) +

  • George Nagle (1900-1996), American Republican politician, Iowa Republican State Chair, 1961-63; Member of Republican National Committee from Iowa, 1961-63
  • Jacob Nagle (1761-1841), American born soldier who fought on the Continental side in the American Revolution, and was later a member of the Royal Navy; and well remembered as a diarist
  • Ron Nagle (b. 1939), American ceramic sculptor
  • Browning Nagle (b. 1968), American NFL football quarterback
  • David R. Nagle (b. 1943), American politician, U.S. Congressman from Iowa (1987-1993)
  • Robert Nagle, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1972
  • Rose Nagle, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1980
  • Steve Nagle, American politician, Representative from New Jersey 6th District, 1998
  • Thomas Nagle, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1972
  • Thomas H. Nagle, American Democratic Party politician, Presidential Elector for New York, 1932
  • ... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Michael Nagle, British Pay Lieutenant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 8


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ELGIN 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Elgin.htm
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LYSANDER 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Lysander.htm
  5. South Australian Register Saturday 4th February 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Sultana 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sultana1854.shtml
  6. South Australian Register Friday 1st September 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Emigrant 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/thetis1854.shtml
  7. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  8. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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