A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Nickell family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0395 · Dutch, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. d'azur, acc. de trois disques de fer. Cq. cour. C.: un bras, arm. au nat., la main de carn. tenant un disque de fer. L. d'arg. et d'azur.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Nickell arms are recorded
The Nickell arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
Region
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Nickell Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Nickell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Nickell Family in Netherlands
The history of the Nickell name in the Netherlands is deeply connected to the urban growth of Amsterdam during the early nineteenth century. By 1815, members of the family were established residents of the city, living during a time of significant political transition as the Netherlands emerged as a sovereign kingdom following the Napoleonic era. During this period, Amsterdam served as a bustling center for trade and maritime commerce, which likely influenced the family’s daily life and professional opportunities. As the city modernized, the Nickell family became part of a diverse population of merchants and laborers who helped rebuild the Dutch economy. Their presence in the city records from this time suggests they were integrated into the social fabric of a nation that was rapidly moving toward industrialization and global trade. By settling in such a prominent hub, the family participated in the unique cultural shift that defined the Dutch Golden Age's aftermath and the birth of the modern Netherlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au lion d'or, soutenu d'un tertre de sin. C.: le lion, iss., tenant une banderole coupée d'or sur azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Nickell arms are recorded
The Nickell arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Netherlands when the Nickell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Nickell Family in Germany
The family name Nickell traces its roots to the Germanic regions of Central Europe, where it functioned as a patronymic surname derived from the name Nicholas. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established within the Kingdom of Bavaria. During this period, the region was characterized by a strong agricultural economy and a rigid social structure that tied many families to specific landholdings. The Nickell ancestors likely lived as farmers or skilled tradespeople, contributing to the local community life that defined Bavarian villages in 1765. As the name spread through the German states, it evolved alongside the local dialects, eventually becoming a distinct identifier for families who were deeply integrated into the cultural and religious traditions of the Holy Roman Empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nikolaos
Derived from Greek words for victory and people.
This name
NickellA patronymic surname meaning son of Nicholas, originating from the Low Countries.
also spelled
Nikkel
Nikl
Nickell
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister van Amsterdam (1815)
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Doop-, trouw- en begraafregisters van Amsterdam (1815)
Israel, Jonathan, The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477-1806 (1995)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
