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Show ContentsNichols History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Nichols surname comes from the German personal name Nikolaus.

Early Origins of the Nichols family

The surname Nichols was first found in Austria, where the family rose to prominence early in the mediaeval era. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. The name refers to St. Nickolaus, the patron saint of seafaring merchants and the protector of children.

Early History of the Nichols family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nichols research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1582, 1664, 1717, 1745, 1756, 1761, 1766 and 1787 are included under the topic Early Nichols History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nichols Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Nichols include Nickel, Nikel, Nickl, Nickle, Nickele, Nickels, Nickelsen, Nickelson, Nicol, Nicols, Nicolsen, Nicolson, Nichol, Nicholl, Nichols, Nicholls, Nicholson, Nichaelsen, Nickells, Nickell, Nichelmann, Nickelmann, Nichelman and many more.

Early Notables of the Nichols family

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

Nichols World Ranking

In the United States, the name Nichols is the 153rd most popular surname with an estimated 149,220 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Nichols is ranked the 848th most popular surname with an estimated 6,317 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Nichols is the 729th popular surname with an estimated 59 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Nichols as 440th with 8,567 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Nichols as 938th with 794 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Nichols as 663rd with 9,907 people. 6

United States Nichols migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Nichols were

Nichols Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Nichols, who immigrated to Virginia in 1607
  • Roger Nichols, who landed in Virginia in 1635 7
  • Walter Nichols, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 7
  • Francis Nichols, who arrived in Connecticut in 1639 7
  • Fr Nichols, who landed in Virginia in 1641 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nichols Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Frances Nichols, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 7
  • Clement Nichols, who arrived in New England in 1714 7
  • John Nichols, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 7
  • Thomas Nichols, who landed in Virginia in 1715 7
  • Emanuel Nichols, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nichols Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James A Nichols, who landed in America in 1804 7
  • John Nichols, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1831 7
  • Mr. John Nichols, (b. 1810), aged 22, British settler departing from Plymouth aboard the ship "Andromeda" arriving in the United States on 10th May 1832 8
  • William Nichols, who landed in New York in 1834 7
  • Mr. T. Nichols, (b. 1816), aged 32, Cornish miner departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 29th May 1848 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Nichols migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nichols Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Nichols, who settled in Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland in 1708 9
  • Mary Nichols, who arrived in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1722 9
  • Joseph Nichols, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Thomas Nichols, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Ruth Nichols, who arrived in New Brunswick in 1783
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nichols Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Nichols, who immigrated to Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1827 9
  • Jonathan G Nichols, who landed in Canada in 1828
  • Daniel Nichols, who arrived in Canada in 1831
  • Mr. Nichols, aged 30, a shoemaker, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Sarah" from Bristol, England
  • Mrs. Nichols, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Sarah" from Bristol, England

Australia Nichols migration to Australia +

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

Nichols Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Nichols, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 10
  • Mr. John Nichols, (b. 1771), aged 60, English dealer who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 14 years for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Mr. Joseph Nichols, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Mr. Robert Nichols, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Charles Kerr" on 6th June 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Elizabeth Nichols, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Henry Porcher" in 1838 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Nichols 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:

Nichols Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. W. Nichols, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th May 1853 14
  • Mr. George Nichols, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 15
  • Mrs. Nichols, British settler travelling from London with 2 sons and 3 daughters aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 15
  • Mr. William Nichols, (b. 1856), aged 7, Cornish settler departing on 20th October 1863 aboard the ship "Tiptree" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 20th January 1864, travelling with William and Sarah Clarke 16
  • Miss C. Nichols, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Wild Duck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th December 1867 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Nichols (post 1700) +

  • Nichelle Nichols (1932-2022), born Grace Dell Nichols, an American actress, singer and voice artist best known as the communications officer Lieutenant Uhura aboard the USS Enterprise in the popular Star Trek television series
  • Richard Nichols (1926-2019), American Republican politician, U.S. Representative from Kansas 5th District, 1991-93 17
  • Don Nichols (1924-2017), American U.S. Army combat veteran, founder and former principal of the Shadow CanAm and Formula One racing team
  • J. Hugh Nichols (1930-2015), American politician, County Executive of Howard County, Maryland (1978-1986)
  • Brigadier-General Harold Floyd Nichols (1888-1983), American Assistant Chief of Staff (G-1), 6th Army (1946-1947) 18
  • Charles Augustus "Kid" Nichols (1869-1953), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1890 through 1906
  • Jennifer Nichols (b. 1983), American gold and bronze medalist archer at the 2007 Pan American Games
  • Joseph Edward "Joe" Nichols (b. 1976), American country music artist
  • Roger Nichols, American composer and songwriter who has written songs with Paul Williams and Tony Asher
  • Robert "Bobby" Herman Nichols (b. 1936), American professional golfer
  • ... (Another 186 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Richard Sidney Nichols (1950-1985), American Sergeant from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 19
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Francis Roy Nichols (1923-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class from Elderslie, Tasmania, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 20
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Thomas F Nichols (b. 1920), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
HMS Royal Oak
  • Wilfred Nichols, British Able Seaman with the Royal Fleet Reserve aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 22
  • Arthur Hill Nichols (1904-1939), British Shipwright 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 22
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. A. D. Nichols (d. 1912), aged 34, English Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 23
  • Mr. Walter Henry Nichols, aged 35, English Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 15 23
  • Mr. Alfred Nichols (d. 1912), aged 42, English Boatswain from Shirley, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 23
USS Arizona
  • Mr. John E. Nichols, American Radioman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 24
  • Mr. Louis Duffie Nichols, American Seaman Second Class from Alabama, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24
  • Mr. Alfred Rose Nichols, American Seaman First Class from Alabama, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24
  • Mr. Bethel Allan Nichols, American Seaman First Class from Washington, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24
  • Mr. Clifford Leroy Nichols, American Turret Captain First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  4. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  5. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  6. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. 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)
  8. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  9. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  10. 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
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 1st February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charles-kerr
  13. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HENY PORCHER 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838HenryPorcher.htm
  14. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
  17. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  18. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) Harold Nichols. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Nichols/Harold_Floyd/USA.html
  19. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  20. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  24. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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