SurnameDB – The Internet Surname Database

Underlined words are explained in our glossary.

This very interesting surname, is of English and origins. It is derived from the famous 'Nichols' itself originating from the 'Nikolaos', a form of 'nikan', meaning 'to conquer', plus 'laos', - 'the people'. As a it is found in the Book of 1086, and as such was probably introduced by the or the early , which was much the same thing. The surname dates back to the late 12th Century (see below), and early recordings include John Nichole (circa 1270), in "Unpublished documents in the Essex Records Office", Chelmsford, and William Nicholas, in "A Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds, Berkshire". The development of the forms commenced almost at once, these being a result of poor spelling allied with very strong local . At first Nichols and Nockles may not seem to have much in common, but in fact to the untrained clerical ear, they were seen and heard to be the same. Nockels itself appears in many forms, and some of these appear in the following examples. Mary Knuckles, who was at the famous church of St Dunstans in the East, Stepney, London, on May 21st 1619, Christian Necolds at St Brides Church, London, on April 24th 1660, John Nockles who married Elizabeth Horne by civil license in London on November 11th 1666, and Christopher Nockells christened at St Andrews by the Tower, London, on January 31st 1695.

List Ancestral records for:- Knuckles

A granted to a family of the name has the of a , two bars, in three suns, the being out of a gold ducal coronet, a demi lion . The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Waleram Nicholai, which was dated 1198, in the " Rolls of Suffolk", during the reign of King Richard 1, known as "The ", 1189 - 1199. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as . Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Your A4 printed scroll

Surname scroll

Knuckles Surname Scroll

Printed A4 parchment scroll · 8.3 × 11.7 in

Enjoy this name printed onto our colourful scroll, printed in Olde English script. An ideal gift.

Buy 2 or more scrollsGet free shipping
  • Printed and dispatched within 5 working days
  • Royal Mail delivery to almost anywhere in the world
  • Research exclusive to The Internet Surname Database
See all photos and details →
The MyHeritage DNA testing kit

Partner offer

Knuckles is one branch. Find the rest in your DNA.

MyHeritage DNA shows your origins across 2,114 regions and finds relatives through shared DNA.

Explore MyHeritage DNA (opens MyHeritage in a new tab)

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.

Historical records

Records about the Knuckles family

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.