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

Nickman, 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 Nickman surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Nickman in America

Nickman is the 125639th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nickman surname appeared 126 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Nickman.

The history of the last name Nickman

The surname Nickman finds its origins in Germany, likely around the medieval period, roughly between the 12th and 14th centuries. This name can primarily be traced back to regions within Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, areas rich in Germanic linguistic roots. The name is thought to derive from "Nik," a shortened form of Nicholas, combined with "man," a suffix commonly indicating a person or follower. Hence, Nickman essentially meant "follower of Nicholas" or simply "Nicholas's man."

In addition to its Germanic origins, the surname appears in various historical records. One of the earliest documented instances of the name Nickman was found in a 13th-century manuscript from the town of Hildesheim in Lower Saxony. This document belongs to Hans Nickman, a landowner whose possessions were chronicled in 1286. His holdings became significant enough to attract the attention of local authorities, thus earning him a place in local annals.

As the years progressed, the Nickman surname appeared in several important regional records. For instance, the Nickman lineage is noted in the tax rolls of the Hanseatic League cities during the 1400s. These records indicate that Nickmans were involved in trade and commerce, particularly in Lüneburg and Hamburg. By 1570, Johan Nickman, a merchant, gained recognition for his extensive trading networks across Northern Europe. His contributions, documented in guild records, underline the family's mercantile prominence.

Over time, the surname continued to spread. In the early 17th century, another notable figure Emerick Nickman, born in 1602, became a well-known figure in Bremen. As an influential civic leader and noted philanthropist, his charitable activities were recorded in city council archives, offering insight into the prominence of the Nickman name in public life.

Pieter Nickman, born in 1635, emerged as another significant individual. He was particularly renowned for his scholarly work, contributing to theological literature. His notable writings from the late 17th century are still cited in historical theological studies, reflecting the intellectual reach of the Nickman lineage. Pieter's death in 1702 led to mentions in various academic records and sermon collections, further cementing the name’s scholarly association.

As the surname travelled, it also emerged in England by the early 18th century. Here, Gustav Nickman, an engineer born in 1689, was involved in the early industrialization efforts of the Midlands. His contributions to the construction of canals and bridges were recorded in project documents and engineering journals of the time. Gustav’s enduring legacy continued with the generations after him, marking the Nickman surname with a character of progress and innovation.

In sum, the surname Nickman has a rich history rooted in Germany. From its early heralding in manuscripts and tax rolls to its presence in mercantile, civic, and scholarly records, the Nickman name has been associated with a variety of significant contributions across centuries, highlighting its enduring impact and prominence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nickman

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Nickman 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.

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 Nickman was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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