Surname Nicolls - Meaning and Origin
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Nicolls: What does the surname Nicolls mean?
The last name Nicolls is of Greek origin, derived from the given name Nicolas, which means "victory of the people". It originated as a patronymic name, meaning it was originally used to denote sonship - in this case, “son of Nicolas." The name Nicolas itself is made up of two parts: 'nikan' (to win or to conquer) and 'laos' (people). The name Nicolls has various spellings, including Nichols, Nicholls, Nicol, Nicoll, Nicholl, Nickles, Nickle, Nickols and more. This surname has strong roots in the British Isles and is particularly common in Scotland and England. The incorporation of double "l" as in Nicolls is often found in Welsh ancestry. The family bearing this surname has a rich history, holding titles, lands, and estates over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisNicolls: Where does the name Nicolls come from?
The Nicolls surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly England. Nicolls is an English spelling of the French surname Nicolle, sometimes spelled Nicholls, which originated in Brittany in the 9th century. Other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, also have some people bearing the name.
In England and Wales, Nicolls is one of the 2000 most common surnames, with around 2,650 households registered in the 2011 Census. The name is especially common in the cities of Bristol and Liverpool, as well as in the counties of Surrey and Hampshire.
In other parts of the world, the Nicolls name is slightly less common. The United States has seen a gradual increase in people bearing the name since the 1970s. Today, people with the surname are spread throughout the country, but Nicolls is especially common in the southern states, particularly Texas.
Canada also has a number of Nicolls, particularly in Nova Scotia, which has a long French-Acadian history. In Australia, the surname is primarily found in Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia.
Overall, the Nicolls name is still quite rare, but it is likely to continue increasing in popularity, particularly in the English-speaking countries of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Nicolls
The Nicolls surname has a few varied spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Nicolls, Nickels, Nickols, Nicholls, Nichols, and Nichels, as well as other variations.
The origin of the Nicolls surname is believed to have originated from the Latin name ‘Nicholaus’ which means ‘victor of the people’. It is also believed that the name may have been taken up as a patronymic or ‘son of Nicholas’ following the popularity of the saint by the same name.
Variants of the name that originated in England include Nickels, Nickolls and Nicols, while Nichels was a variant from Germany. Nickols is a variant that originated from Eastern Europe, while Nicholls is a unique Irish variation of the name.
In Scotland, variants of the Nicolls spelling include Nickels, which is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic term ‘niccoll,’ meaning ‘son of Nicholas’. Nicols is also a Scottish variant and is believed to be derived from the Celtic name ‘Nicdougal’, and was mainly found in the region of Lanarkshire.
The Nicolls surname can also be found in other countries including France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States, where the variations Nichols and Nichels are popular. It can also be found in other countries from a variety of spellings such as Nicholaus in Germany, Nicholl in Ireland, Nicula in Romania and Nicholaev in Ukraine.
The Nicolls surname is widely spread throughout the world and has large concentrations in England, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Australia, Scotland, New Zealand and South Africa. The variations of the name can be an indication of the countries from which the name originated.
Famous people with the name Nicolls
- Matt Nicolls: Australian cricketer and writer.
- Stuart Nicolls: British soldier, Peer, and Liberal Party politician.
- Robert Nicolls: British army officer and MP.
- Edward Nicolls: senior British army officer and explorer.
- Rushton Waite Nicolls: Canadian Anglican bishop.
- Lionel Nicolls: fugitive Australian criminal and author.
- Felix Nicolle: French artist, botanist, and zoologist.
- Euan Nicoll: British actor, screenwriter, and director.
- Paul Nicolls: British cinematographer and director.
- Stephen Nicolls: English professional footballer playing in non-league football.
- Jason Nicolls: American actor, producer, and screenwriter.
- Barney Nicolls: British jazz trombonist and composer.
- Olivia Nicolls: British film producer and director.
- Sebastian Nicolls: British racing driver.
- Emilia V. Nicolls: Latina American writer, poet, and playwright.
- Michael Nicolls: American weightlifter and powerlifter.
- Joan Nicolls: British editor, journalist, and producer.
- Padraig Nicolls: Irish actor, director, and film producer.
- Raymond Nicolls: UK Admiral of Fleet in the Royal Navy.
- James Nicolls: Jamaican writer, playwright, and filmmaker.