Nicolay History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe surname is one of the oldest family names to came from that French region known as Brittany. It is derived from the Latin personal name Nicolaus, meaning "victory people." Early Origins of the Nicolay familyThe surname Nicolay was first found in the Province of Vivarais (later, Languedoc,) where a Guy, or Guglielmo of Florence, Italy founded the Countal and Baronial House of Nicolay. Early History of the Nicolay familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nicolay research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1736, 1789, 1815 and 1848 are included under the topic Early Nicolay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Nicolay Spelling VariationsHistory has changed the spelling of most surnames. During the early development of the French language in the Middle Ages, a person gave his version of his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. Some variables were adopted by different branches of the family name. Hence, there spelling variations of the name Nicolay, some of which include Nicolais, Nicolai, Nicolay, De Nicolay, De Nicolai and many more. Early Notables of the Nicolay familyNotable amongst the family name at this time was
In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec, in 1663 there were only 500, 2,000 migrants arrived during the next decade. Early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. Youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted migrants, both noble and commoner from France. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries. Migration from France to New France or Quebec as it was now more popularly called, continued from France until it fell in 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many distinguished contributions have been made by members of this family name Nicolay. It has been prominent in the arts, religion, politics and culture in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Nicolay were Nicolay Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Nicolay Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Nicolay Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
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: En bon espoir Motto Translation: In good hope.
|