Nikel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Nikel

What does the name Nikel mean?

The Nikel surname comes from the German personal name Nikolaus.

Early Origins of the Nikel family

The surname Nikel 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 Nikel family

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

Nikel Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Nikel 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 Nikel family

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

Nikel migration to the United States +

Austria was made a republic after the First World War. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up by the Treaty of Versailles and many of its people found themselves in the new nation of Czechoslovakia. Many other Austrians and expatriate Austrians made their way to North America in the 20th century. Most landed in Philadelphia, later continuing on to the states of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Some Austrian settlers also went to western Canada and Ontario. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Nikel or a variant listed above:

Nikel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Nathin Nikel, aged 28, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship “St. Nicolas” in 1848 1
Daniel Nikel, aged 28, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship “William Tell” in 1851 1
Anton Nikel, aged 38, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship “Becboudson” in 1851 1
Cath Nikel, aged 48, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship “William Tell” in 1851 1
Daniel Nikel, aged 19, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship “William Tell” in 1851 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nikel migration to Canada +

Nikel Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Erdman Nikel, who landed in Manitoba in 1878

Nikel 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:

Nikel Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Johan Nikel, aged 43, Polish settler who arrived in Jackson’s Bay, New Zealand aboard the ship “Lammershagen” in 1875
Augusta Nikel, aged 40, Polish settler who arrived in Jackson’s Bay, New Zealand aboard the ship “Lammershagen” in 1875
Ferdinand Nikel, aged 15, Polish settler who arrived in Jackson’s Bay, New Zealand aboard the ship “Lammershagen” in 1875
Gustaw Nikel, aged 10, Polish settler who arrived in Jackson’s Bay, New Zealand aboard the ship “Lammershagen” in 1875
Frederich Nikel, aged 4, Polish settler who arrived in Jackson’s Bay, New Zealand aboard the ship “Lammershagen” in 1875
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Ellis Island Passenger Search (Retrieved 24th October 2022).https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/