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Nickel History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Nickel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

Etymology of Nickel

What does the name Nickel mean?

The Nickel surname comes from the German personal name Nikolaus.

Early Origins of the Nickel family

The surname Nickel 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 Nickel family

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

Nickel 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 Nickel 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 Nickel family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Nickel were

Goswin Nickel (c. 1582-1664), German Jesuit priest, elected the 10th Superior-General of the Society of Jesus

Nickel Ranking

In the United States, the name Nickel is the 4,417^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1

Nickel 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 Nickel were

Nickel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johan Nickel, who settled in Philadelphia in 1739
Johan Georg Nickel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 2
Joh Jacob Nickel, who arrived in America in 1750-1753 2
Joh Peter Nickel, who landed in America in 1750-1753 2
Johan Peter Nickel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nickel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christian Friedrich Wilhelm Nickel, aged 37, who arrived in Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel", he died in 1846 2
Elisa Nickel, aged 40, who landed in Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel" 2
Sophie Nickel, who arrived in Texas in 1845 2
Mr. Ludwig Nickel, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel"
Miss Elis Marg. Nickel, aged 18, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Herschel"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nickel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

August Nickel, who landed in Chile in 1912 2

Nickel migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nickel Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Johann Nickel, who settled in Canada with the United Empire Loyalists in 1783

Nickel Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

David Nickel, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
Heinrich Nickel, who arrived in Manitoba in 1876
Johan Nickel, who landed in Manitoba in 1876
Cornelius Nickel, who arrived in Manitoba in 1876

Contemporary Notables of the name Nickel (post 1700) +

Gil Nickel (1939-2003), American vintner, owner of the Far Niente Winery in the Napa Valley
Elbert Everett "Elbie" Nickel (1922-2007), American NFL football tight end who played eleven seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1947-1957)
Herman Nickel (b. 1928), American journalist and diplomat, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa (1982-1986)
Richard Nickel (1928-1972), American photographer and historian
Kelly Nickel (b. 1962), American bassist who has played in various bands
James W. Nickel, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Louisiana, 2000 3
J. Kelso Nickel, American Republican politician, Burgess of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, 1927-35 3
Herman W. Nickel (b. 1928), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, 1982-86 3
H. W. Nickel, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of San Bernardino, California, 2013 3
C. F. Nickel, American politician, Mayor of Frostburg, Maryland, 1898-1901 3
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Nickel family +

Bismarck

Helmut Nickel (1921-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 4
Fritz Nickel (1923-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 4

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details