Nickel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of the Nickel family migrated to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname Nickel is based on the given name Nicholas. Nicholas derives from the Greek Nikolaos, which is made up of the words nikan, meaning to conquer, and laos, meaning people. 1
Early Origins of the Nickel family
The surname Nickel was first found in Cheshire, where Nicholas D'Albini, who was of the junior line of the Dukes of D'Albini in Normandy, settled in 1054, and his successor William became Baron of Malpas. Waleram Nicholai was listed in Suffolk in 1198 and Nicholaus was listed in Lincolnshire in 1147-1166. 1 By the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, the name was scattered as seen by: William filius Nicoll in Shropshire; and John Nicole and Stephen Nichole in Oxfordshire. 2
Some of the family were anciently found in the parish of St. Kew, Cornwall. "Trewane or Trewarne in this parish, was formerly a seat of the Nicholls family. The heiress of Nicholls, whose mother was a daughter of Sir Joseph Tredenham of Tregonan in St. Ewe, married Nicholas Glynn, Esq. and dying in 1771 without surviving issue, bequeathed her mansion and barton of Trewane to Thomas Glynn, Esq. of the borough of Helston." 3
Continuing our quest for family in Cornwall, we found this interesting geneological record: "Trereife [in the parish of Madern] has been the family estate of the Nicholls's from time immemorial. Dr. Nicholls, physician to George II. who opened the body of the king for the purpose of ascertaining the cause of his death, which he described in a paper addressed to the Royal Society, was second son of John Nicholls. This family intermarried with the families of Godolphin and Foote. William John Godolphin Nicholls, Esq. the last survivor of the elder branch of the family, died May 9, 1815, and bequeathed all his estates to his mother." 3
Early History of the Nickel family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nickel research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1500, 1542, 1550, 1555, 1559, 1584, 1587, 1589, 1590, 1616, 1619, 1624, 1630, 1640, 1642, 1648, 1658, 1664, 1668, 1672, 1673, 1678, 1681, 1683, 1687, 1699, 1712, 1727, 1756, 1778, 1779, 1818, 1850 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Nickel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Nickel Spelling Variations
Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Nickel were recorded, including Nicholl, Niccolls, Nichel, Nichol, Nicholls, Nichols, Nickel, Nickle, Nickles, Nicolls, Nicol, Nycol, Nuckles and many more.
Early Notables of the Nickel family
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Blessed George Nichols (c. 1550-1589), an English Catholic martyr; John Nicholls (1555-1584), a controversial author; Sir Augustine Nicolls (1559-1616), a judge; John Nicoll (c.1590-1668), a Scottish chronicler; Sir Francis Nicolls, 1st Baronet (c. 1587-1642), Member of Parliament for Bishop's Castle and Northamptonshire; Sir Edward Nicolls, 2nd Baronet (c. 1619-1683); Richard Nicolls (1624-1672), the first English colonial governor of New York province; Matthias Nicoll (1630-1687), American politician, 6th Mayor of New York City...
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nickel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Nickel Ranking
In the United States, the name Nickel is the 4,417th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 4
Migration of the Nickel family to Ireland
Some of the Nickel family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 129 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Nickel migration to the United States +
The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Nickel arrived in North America very early:
Nickel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- Johan Nickel, who settled in Philadelphia in 1739
- Johan Georg Nickel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 5
- Joh Jacob Nickel, who arrived in America in 1750-1753 5
- Joh Peter Nickel, who landed in America in 1750-1753 5
- Johan Peter Nickel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 5
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nickel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Christian Friedrich Wilhelm Nickel, aged 37, who arrived in Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel", he died in 1846 5
- Elisa Nickel, aged 40, who landed in Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel" 5
- Sophie Nickel, who arrived in Texas in 1845 5
- Mr. Ludwig Nickel, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel"
- Miss Elis Marg. Nickel, aged 18, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel"
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nickel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- August Nickel, who landed in Chile in 1912 5
Nickel migration to Canada +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Nickel Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
- Johann Nickel, who settled in Canada with the United Empire Loyalists in 1783
Nickel Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
- David Nickel, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
- Heinrich Nickel, who arrived in Manitoba in 1876
- Johan Nickel, who landed in Manitoba in 1876
- Cornelius Nickel, who arrived in Manitoba in 1876
Contemporary Notables of the name Nickel (post 1700) +
- Gil Nickel (1939-2003), American vintner, owner of the Far Niente Winery in the Napa Valley
- Elbert Everett "Elbie" Nickel (1922-2007), American NFL football tight end who played eleven seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1947-1957)
- Herman Nickel (b. 1928), American journalist and diplomat, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa (1982-1986)
- Richard Nickel (1928-1972), American photographer and historian
- Kelly Nickel (b. 1962), American bassist who has played in various bands
- James W. Nickel, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Louisiana, 2000 6
- J. Kelso Nickel, American Republican politician, Burgess of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, 1927-35 6
- Herman W. Nickel (b. 1928), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, 1982-86 6
- H. W. Nickel, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of San Bernardino, California, 2013 6
- C. F. Nickel, American politician, Mayor of Frostburg, Maryland, 1898-1901 6
- ... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Historic Events for the Nickel family +
Bismarck
- Helmut Nickel (1921-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 7
- Fritz Nickel (1923-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 7
The Nickel 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: Fide sed cui vide
Motto Translation: Trust, but in whom take care.
Suggested Readings for the name Nickel +
- The Story of Benjamin Nickel by Phyllis Ferrara.
- History of the Nickell Family by Joe Nickell.
Citations +
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- 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)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
- Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details