Show ContentsNebel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Nebel

What does the name Nebel mean?

From the historical and enchanting region of Scotland emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Nebel family. Originally, the Scottish people were known only by a single name. Often they adopted names that were derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name.

Nebel is a nickname type of surname for a person of exceptionally graceful character having derived from the Old French word noble, which was of essentially the same meaning as the modern English term. "This complimentary sobriquet was not allowed to die out by the fortunate possessors, and they have bred a large progeny." 1

Looking back further, the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae listed Walter and Gillebert le Noble, Normandy 1180 - 1195. 2

Early Origins of the Nebel family

The surname Nebel was first found in East Lothian where "an English family of this name settled as subvassals of the family of de Vallibus (Vaux) at the end of the twelfth century. William Nobilis held part of the lands of Garmilton under William de Vallibus. He was succeeded by his son Radulph who confirmed his father's grants. Radulphus Nobilis witnessed a grant by Vinianus de Mulineys to the Hospital of Soltre, 1198-1234, and between 1214-30 he witnessed an agreement between the monks of Neubotle and Adam Malherb, lord of Morham. " 3

Further to the south in England, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Amice le Noble, Huntingdonshire; Hugh le Noble, Bedfordshire; and Thomas le Noble, Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Robertus Nobill. 1

Early History of the Nebel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nebel research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1337, 1464, 1467, 1489, 1490, 1495, 1497, 1504 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Nebel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nebel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Noble, Nobel, Nobille, Norbell, MacNoble, Nobill, Nobil, Nobelle, Noeble, Nobile, Nobels, Nobells, McNoble and many more.

Early Notables of the Nebel family

Notable among the family at this time was Vilyam Nobile, chamberlain and procurator of the abbot of Arnbroath at Inverness in 1464, and the Nobles of that town may be descended from him. In 1467 the Nobles of Ferm had a charter of the lands of Ferm, now called Coates, near Rutherglen. Alexander Nobill and John Nobill were murdered in...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nebel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nebel Ranking

In the United States, the name Nebel is the 14,807th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Nebel family to Ireland

Some of the Nebel family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Nebel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nebel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • J Friederich Nebel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1754 5
  • Johann Nebel, who arrived in America in 1780 5
Nebel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Elis Nebel, who landed in America in 1849 5
  • Johann Friedrich Nebel, who arrived in America in 1850 5
  • John Nebel, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1854 5
  • Henry Nebel, who arrived in DeWitt County, Illinois in 1864 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Nebel (post 1700) +

  • Richard W. Nebel, American politician, Circuit Judge in Michigan 11th Circuit, 1954-59 6
  • John V. Nebel, American politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives from Montgomery County, 1903-04 6
  • Clarence A. Nebel, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1960 6


The Nebel 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 et fortitudine
Motto Translation: By fidelity and fortitude.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. 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)
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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