Surname Nicholls - Meaning and Origin

A Glimpse into my Genetic Heritage: Unearthing the fascinating Ancestry of the Nicholls Surname through iGENEA DNA Test Results

My recent iGENEA DNA test results offered fascinating insights into the deep-seated genealogical background of the Nicholls surname, illuminating connections to Western Europe, the Celtic and Norse Viking tribes, and even to the Indigenous Basque people and a small percentage of Eastern European ancestry. The scientific evidence enriches my understanding of the complex and diverse history of my lineage, filled with migrations, invasions, and intermarriages that have shaped the elaborate heritage I proudly carry today.

T. Nicholls

Nicholls: What does the surname Nicholls mean?

The surname Nicholls is of English origin and is a patronymic variant of the biblical first name, Nicholas. Nicholas, derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, is a compound of "nike" meaning "victory" and "laos" which means "people". Thus, the name Nicholas signifies "victory of the people".

The last name Nicholls emerged during the Middle Ages, a time when society started to use hereditary surnames to identify individuals. Names were typically derived from a parent's name, occupation, location, or personal characteristics.

The "-s" or "-es" suffix in Nicholls denotes "son of", thus the name can be interpreted as "son of Nicholas". It is most commonly found in England, especially in the southeastern regions.

Nicholls: Where does the name Nicholls come from?

The last name Nicholls is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. In the United Kingdom, Nicholls is considered to be one of the most popular surnames and is thought to have originated from Norman-French personal names, such as Nichole or Nicola. In Australia, the name is typically found in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. This name is thought to have roots in German and English, in which it was an occupational name or a nickname for someone from the region of Nicole, Normandy.

In Canada, the name is most commonly found in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. This name is derived from German and English and was an occupational name that referred to a laborer. In the United States, the surname Nicholls is less common; however, it is still found mainly in states such as California, Massachusetts, and New York.

Overall, the surname Nicholls is found in many English-speaking countries primarily in areas where there was once a large influence of British Presbyterianism. It is thought that this surname originated in the 11th century and its usage is assumed to have spread through settlers in Europe, North America, and the Commonwealth countries.

Variations of the surname Nicholls

Nicholls is a surname of English origin. Variants of the name include Nicolls, Nichol, Nicholas, Nicholass, Nickels, and Nickles. It is derived from the given name Nicolas, from the Greek Nikolaos, which means “victory of the people.”

Many variations of the surname Nicholls were adopted as it spread into different countries and languages. In Scotland, for instance, the name is often spelled “Nichol.” In Ireland, it is sometimes spelled “Nicholas.” In Austria and Germany, it is sometimes spelled “Niklas.” In France, “Nicolas” is the most common spelling, while “Nicol” is found in Spain.

In addition to surnames that are variations of Nicholls, there are also several related surnames that were adopted based on a similar origin, such as Nickels, Nickles, and even Nicholes.

Nichols is another form of the surname that has been widely adopted, though it is likely derived from the same given name Nikolaos. An alternate spelling of Nichols is Nickols. Likewise, various spellings of “Nichol” exist, such as Nichole, Nicholle, Nicholl, and Nicholls.

Finally, several patronymic surnames derived from Nicholls exist, such as Nicall, Nicoll, Nicolls, and Nicholas.

Famous people with the name Nicholls

• Henry Nicholls: British professional cricketer
• Michael Nicholls: Australian academic
• David Nicholls: British novelist and screenwriter
• John Nicholls: English actor
• Ruth Nicholls: British author, teacher, and actress
• Diane Nicholls: Canadian TV journalist
• Owen Nicholls: English writer
• Laura Nicholls: Canadian Paralympic athlete
• Joanne Nicholls: Canadian business executive
• Robert Nicholls: British entrepreneur
• Mike Nicholls: English footballer
• David Nicholls: British lead singer of the band, Embrace
• Matthew Nicholls: British academic
• Tim Nicholls: Australian politician
• Duncan Nicholls: British actor
• Gary Nicholls: Australian guitarist
• Martin Nicholls: British artist
• Christopher Nicholls: British internet personality
• Dan Nicholls: English electronic music producer
• Sean Nicholls: Australian journalist

Other surnames

NicholNicholasNicholesNichollNicholsNicholsonNicholson of Barra