Find out how popular the last name Nickens is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Nickens.

Nickens, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Nickens surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nickens in America

Nickens is the 9940th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nickens surname appeared 3,246 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Nickens.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nickens to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Nickens

The surname Nickens is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a patronymic name, derived from the given name Nicholas, which itself comes from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning "victor of the people."

The earliest recorded instances of the Nickens surname can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable example is the appearance of a William Nickens in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1273. This medieval record was a compilation of financial accounts and records pertaining to the county.

During the 14th century, variations of the name began to emerge, such as Nicchyns, Nychyns, and Nycchyns. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the evolution of English spelling over time. The name was also sometimes associated with certain place names, such as Nicken's Green in Hertfordshire, which may have influenced its spelling and pronunciation.

In the 16th century, the Nickens surname gained prominence with the birth of Sir William Nickens (1520-1592), a prominent English courtier and member of the Privy Council during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a significant role in the establishment of the Protestant religion in England and was known for his loyalty to the crown.

Another notable figure bearing the Nickens surname was John Nickens (1655-1718), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Northumberland. His literary works, including sermons and theological treatises, were widely circulated during his lifetime.

The 17th century also saw the emergence of Robert Nickens (1670-1743), a influential merchant and landowner in the American colonies. He established a successful trading business in Virginia and accumulated substantial wealth and property, leaving a lasting legacy in the region.

As the Nickens surname spread throughout the English-speaking world, it continued to be associated with individuals of notable achievements. In the 19th century, Samuel Nickens (1810-1887) was a renowned architect and civil engineer who designed several iconic buildings and infrastructure projects in London.

It is worth noting that while the Nickens surname has a rich history, its prevalence and distribution may have varied over time due to factors such as migration, intermarriage, and regional preferences. However, its English roots and the notable individuals who have borne this surname serve as a testament to its enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nickens

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Nickens.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Nickens was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Nickens has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Nickens was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nickens, please contact us.

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