An English, Irish and German surname of Nichols is based on the name Nicholas. The name Nicholas comes from the Greek language with the name ‘nikolaos’ which means to conquer people.

Spelling forms for Nichols are Nuckles, Nickel, Nicol, Nycol, Nickles and Nicolls.

English counties of Yorkshire and Norfolk have the higher percentage of Nichols families. Many are also in London and nearby Essex. In Scotland most Nichols families are in Lanarkshire county.

In Germany, Nichols is a common surname.

Nichols families live in California, Illinois, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio within the United States

Famous: Kyra Nichols (professional New York City ballerina), Charles August Nichols (film director), Austin Nichols (TV and film actor), Mike Nichols (TV, stage and film director and producer), Mary Sargeant Nichols (19th century reformer for better health care), Nichelle Nichols (singer), Robert Nichols (English poet and playwright) and Dudley Nichols (American film screenplay writer).