Contents [hide]

Nicholls History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Nicholls History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland

The name Nicholls was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from 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 Nicholls family

The surname Nicholls 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 Nicholls family

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

Nicholls Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Nicholl, Niccolls, Nichel, Nichol, Nicholls, Nichols, Nickel, Nickle, Nickles, Nicolls, Nicol, Nycol, Nuckles and many more.

Early Notables of the Nicholls family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

John Nicholls (1555-1584), a controversial author
Frank Nicholls (1699-1778), a prominent British physician
William Nicholls (1664-1712), an English clergyman and theologian, best known as the author of "Book of Common Prayer"

Nicholls World Ranking

In the United States, the name Nicholls is the 5,701^st most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Nicholls is ranked the 204^th most popular surname with an estimated 16,240 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Nicholls is the 246^th popular surname with an estimated 2,429 people with that name. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Nicholls as 211^st with 27,095 people. 7

Migration of the Nicholls family to Ireland

Some of the Nicholls 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.

Nicholls migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Nicholls or a variant listed above were:

Nicholls Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. William Nicholls, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Dutie" in 1619 8
Thomas Nicholls, who landed in Virginia in 1622 8
Robert Nicholls, who landed in Maryland in 1635 8
Elizabeth Nicholls, aged 25, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Susan and Ellin"
Robert Nicholls, who landed in Virginia in 1637 aboard the ship "Tristram and Jane" 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nicholls Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Susanna Nicholls, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 8
Martin Nicholls, who landed in Virginia in 1701 8
Thomas Nicholls, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 8
Anne Nicholls, who landed in Virginia in 1701 8
David Nicholls, who landed in Virginia in 1702 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nicholls Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Anthony Edward Nicholls, aged 29, who arrived in New York in 1812 8
Robert Nicholls, aged 22, who arrived in America in 1822 8
James Nicholls, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1832 8
Samuel Nicholls, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1835 8
E Nicholls, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nicholls Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Miss Edith Nicholls, (b. 1876), aged 27, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 6th June 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 9
Mr. Edward Nicholls, (b. 1887), aged 16, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 5th March 1903 en route to Rawlins, Wyoming, USA 9
Miss Edith Maud Nicholls, (b. 1884), aged 20, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th September 1904 en route to Freeport, Illinois, USA 9
Mr. Charlie Nicholls, (b. 1896), aged 9, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Durham, New York, USA 9
Miss Dorothy Nicholls, (b. 1904), aged 10 months, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Durham, New York, USA 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nicholls migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nicholls Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Lucy Nicholls, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1811
James Nicholls, who arrived in Canada in 1816

Nicholls migration to Australia +

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

Nicholls Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Nicholls, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. William Nicholls, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. Thomas Nicholls, (b. 1799), aged 21, English stone mason who was convicted in Leeds, Yorkshire, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
George Nicholls, English convict from Staffordshire, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Thomas Nicholls, English convict from Warwick, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nicholls Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Mr. Edward J. Nicholls, (b. 1883), aged 18, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Duke of Norfolk" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 16th February 1901 14

Nicholls 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:

Nicholls Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Nicholls, aged 21, a cooper, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
Mr. William Nicholls, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 30th September 1853 15
Mrs. Catherine Nicholls, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Bank of England" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 28th December 1855 15
Mr. Nicholls, British settler travelling from London, UK with 5 children aboard the ship "Bank of England" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 28th December 1855 15
Frederick Nicholls, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1861
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nicholls migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16

Nicholls Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Jer Nicholls, aged 16, who arrived in St Christopher in 1635 8
Thomas Nicholls, who settled in Barbados in 1654

Contemporary Notables of the name Nicholls (post 1700) +

Francis Redding Tillou Nicholls (1834-1912), American attorney, politician, and a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army, 28th Governor of Louisiana (1877-1880) and (1888-1892)
William W. Nicholls (b. 1860), American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in SAINT Michaels, 1889-99; U.S. Vice & Deputy Consul in SAINT Michaels, 1899-1914 17
Thomas David Nicholls (1870-1931), American Democratic Party politician, Coal miner; president, District 1, United Mine Workers of America, 1899-1909; U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 10th District, 1907-11 17
Samuel Jones Nicholls (1885-1937), American Democratic Party politician, Member of South Carolina State House of Representatives, 1906-09; U.S. Representative from South Carolina 4th District, 1915-21 17
Joshua L. Nicholls, American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Trumbull, 1836 17
John Calhoun Nicholls (1834-1893), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Georgia, 1876; Member of Georgia State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Georgia 1st District, 1879-81, 1883-85 17
John A. Nicholls, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Governor of Massachusetts, 1909, 1910; Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, 1922 17
James A. Nicholls, American politician, U.S. Collector of Customs, 1845-49 17
George Nicholls, American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Thompson, 1836-37 17
Francis Redding Tillou Nicholls (1834-1912), American Democratic Party politician, Governor of Louisiana, 1877-80, 1888-92; Chief Justice of Louisiana State Supreme Court, 1892-1904 17
... (Another 23 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Nicholls family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Malcolm Godfrey Nicholls (1919-1941), Australian Able Seaman from South Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 18

HMS Hood

Mr. Douglas H Nicholls (b. 1917), English Stoker 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Hackney, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19

HMS Repulse

Mr. Thomas Nicholls, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 20

HMS Royal Oak

Reginald Frederick Nicholls, British Commander with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 21

RMS Titanic

Mr. Sidney Nicholls (d. 1912), aged 39, English Saloon Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 22
Mr. Joseph Charles "Joe" Nicholls (d. 1912), aged 19, English Second Class passenger from St. Ives, Cornwall who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 22

The Nicholls 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.

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/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html