Nichols Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Nichols mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Nichols name
Nichols is a patronymic, "son of Nichol", from the medieval form of Nicholas, a Greek name meaning "victory of the people". The cult of St Nicholas of Myra, patron of children, sailors and merchants, made Nicholas one of the most popular names in medieval England. Nichols is most common in the Midlands and the south of England.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Nichols name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Nichols name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Nichols family history
Your full Nichols pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Nichols coat of arms for you.
Nichols name FAQ
What does the Nichols name mean?
Son of Nichol (Nicholas). Common variants include Nicholls, Nicholson, Nickolls.
Where does the Nichols surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Nichols coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Nichols crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Nichols coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.