Surname Nicolaus - Meaning and Origin
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Nicolaus: What does the surname Nicolaus mean?
The last name Nicolaus is an etymological form of the Greek word ‘Nikolaos’ which translates to ‘victory of the people’. This name originated in the Middle Ages and is derived from the Christian Saint Nicholas of Myra, also known as Santa Claus.
The first documented use of the last name Nicolaus was in Germany in the 13th century. In some parts of Germany it is also spelled Nicolaisen and Nikolausen.
In English countries, the name Nicolaus began to be used by people of Welsh and Scottish descent. It is believed to have arrived in England through Norman soldiers during the Norman Conquest. The name is still popular in Welsh and Scottish countries, and it appears in many family history books.
Throughout Europe, this name can be found among many different ethnicities and cultures. In Spain, the name Nicolas can be found as well as in France for the Comte de Nicollet.
The last name Nicolaus is an ancient name, and it continues to be a popular surname among families around the world. It is often an indicator of a strong family background, as it is associated with victory and celebration.
Order DNA origin analysisNicolaus: Where does the name Nicolaus come from?
The Nicolaus family name is most commonly associated with central and eastern Europe. Specifically, the Nicolaus name can be found in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, and Italy.
In Germany, the last name Nicolaus is currently the 259th most common surname. This name is especially common in the federal states of Hamburg, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate. In Austria, the name Nicolaus is the 239th most popular, and it is the 81st most common name in the Czech Republic.
In Poland, Nicolaus is the 226th most common surname across the country. It is especially popular in the municipality of Lubicz, where the name is the 18th most populous. Moving down south, the Nicolaus family name is the 707th most popular in Italy, with a particularly high concentration in the city of Ischia. Romania shows the highest concentration of Nicolaus families within Eastern Europe, as it is the 132nd most popular surname throughout the country.
While the Nicolaus family name may not be as common as it once was, it is still an enduring name with a strong presence throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
Variations of the surname Nicolaus
The surname Nicolaus is derived from the given name Nicholas, which is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people”. This popular surname has many variants, including Nicholaus, Niklaus, Nicklaus, Niklaas, Nikol, and Nick. Nicolaus is also frequently found in various other languages and cultures.
In German, the surname is typically spelled Nikolaus, Niklaus, or Nicklaus. Ukrainian, Polish and Russian versions of the name are Nikolay, Nikolai, Nikolayev, and Nikolya. In French, Nicolaus is rendered Nicolas or Nicole. In Italian, Nicolo or Niccoli are common variants, while Barcelona often features the Catalan version, Nicolau.
In the United States, Nicolas and its various derivatives like Nichols and Nickles are the most frequently found. Near the Mediterranean, it is more common to find spellings of Nico, Nicolau or Nicolo.
Sometimes the spelling of the surname can tell us something about where the original bearer of this name came from. For example, Nicolaus with an "a" is typically of German heritage, while those with an “o” can be of Italian or Spanish origin.
Variations of this surname can also be found, such as Nicolau, Nicolaou, Nicolauss, Nikolyn, Nickolayev, or Nikolaisen, to name a few. No matter which spelling is being used, it has the same origin and can be traced back to the Greek personal name Nikōlaos.
Famous people with the name Nicolaus
- Auguste Nicolaus (1802–1841), German astronomer.
- Carl Nicolaus Gaston (1784–1843), French mineralogist and geologist.
- Maria Crastoni-Nicolaus (1795–1837), Italian strengthening pianist.
- Johannes Nicolaus (1675–1717), German theologian and historian.
- Marie Nicolaus (1904–1983), German Jewish singer and actress.
- Georg Simon Nikolaus (1793–1864), German composer and music writer.
- Sebastian Nicolaus (1681–1730), German cleric and educator.
- André Nicolaus (1911–1994), French immunologist and virologist.
- Richard Nicolaus (1888-1968), German officer in World War I.
- Frederic Nicolaus (1845–1910), American military officer and weapons inventor.
- Stefano Nicolaus (1567–1601), Italian author and poet.
- Ana Maria Nicolaus (1880–1963), Brazilian writer and freedom fighter.
- Theodor Nicolaus (1830–1898), German astronomer and botanist.
- Johann Nicolaus (1859–1945), German politician and journalist.
- Paul Nicolaus (1825–1905), German archaeologist and philologist.
- Johannes Nicolaus (1619–83), Dutch mathematician and physicist.
- Constantin Nicolaus (1890-1965), Romanian diplomat and military historian.
- Nicolas-Dominique Nicolaus (1776–1832), French lawyer and statesman.
- Charlotte Nicolaus (1901–1985), German nurse and World War II Medal of Honor recipient.
- Cinzia Nicolaus, Italian journalist and television presenter.