Last Name Nicollet

The surname "Nicollet" is of French origin. It comes from the male given name Nicolas, which was derived from the Greek name Nikolas meaning "victory of the people." Over time, it evolved into various forms in different regions, with Nicollet being one of them. This name was often given to boys born on December 6th, the feast day of Saint Nicholas. The use of surnames originated in Europe during the Middle Ages as a way to distinguish individuals within communities who shared the same first name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Nicollet

The meaning and origin of the last name Nicollet

The surname Nicollet is of French origin, derived from the personal name Nicolas, which was brought to France by the Normans in the 11th century. Over time, the name evolved into various forms such as Nicolles and Nicollet. The suffix "-et" in this case indicates a diminutive form, suggesting that an individual bearing the name was perhaps small or young when it was first given. The name Nicolas is derived from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning "victory of the people." This surname has been carried by notable figures throughout history, including François-Joseph Nicollier, a French astronomer and geodesist, and Jean Baptiste Nicollet, an explorer who mapped the Great Lakes region in North America. Today, it can be found among populations in France, Switzerland, and other countries with historical connections to these regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Nicollet

The surname Nicollet is primarily distributed across France, particularly in regions such as Normandy and Brittany, where it originated from the medieval village of Nicollet, near Avranches in the Manche department. It also has significant presence in other French departments including Ille-et-Vilaine, Calvados, and Loire-Atlantique. The name is believed to have been brought to these regions by the Breton people during the Middle Ages. In recent times, there has been a notable diaspora of Nicollets, with significant populations found in Canada (especially Quebec), the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, and other French-speaking countries due to migration and colonization efforts over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Nicollet

The surname Nicollet has several variations and spellings. These include Nichollet, Nicolat, Nicolaert, Nicolaett, Nicollete, Nicollot, Nicloit, Niclot, Nickollet, and Nicolette. In French, the name can be spelled as Nicolas or Nicolas-Léonard, which may have evolved into some of the aforementioned spellings over time. The name also has variations in other languages such as Dutch (Nicolaas) and German (Nikolaus). These variations stem from the original French form, Nicolas, which is a common masculine given name derived from the Greek Nikolaos meaning "victory of the people."

Famous people with the last name Nicollet

Among the notable figures bearing the surname Nicollet are:

1. Pierre Gaspard Louis Deschamps de Pouilly, Comte de Nicollet (1786-1843), a French military officer who served under Napoleon Bonaparte and was involved in the Battle of Waterloo.

2. François Victor Gerard Nicollet (1806-1851), a Swiss geographer, cartographer, and astronomer, known for his map of Africa and contributions to the understanding of the equatorial region's geography.

3. Jacques-Barthélemy Hector Félix Nicollet (1812-1894), a French mathematician who worked on elliptic functions, differential equations, and number theory. He was elected to the French Academy of Sciences in 1847.

4. Henri de Nicollet (1865-1930), a French Army officer, explorer, and politician. He served as Governor-General of Tunisia between 1921 and 1925.

5. Pierre Jules Théophile Nicollet (1874-1946), a Swiss architect known for his Art Nouveau designs. His most famous works include the Casino de Montbenon in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Each of these individuals made significant contributions to their respective fields and left lasting impacts on history.

Genealogical research on the last name Nicollet

The surname Nicollet is primarily of French origin, derived from various place names in France such as Nicolle (Manche), Nicolle-sur-Brenne (Indre-et-Loire), and Nicollet (Calvados). The earliest known ancestor with the name was Jean Nicollet, a fur trader born around 1598 in the region of Normandy. He is most famously recognized for exploring the Great Lakes area and reaching Green Bay in present-day Wisconsin in 1634. This exploration helped lay the groundwork for the French colonization of North America. Descendants of Jean Nicollet can be found throughout France, Canada, the United States, and other English-speaking countries due to historical migrations and settlement patterns. Variations in spelling of the name include Niclaus, Niklaus, Niklott, and Nicholat. The family tree includes various notable figures, including explorers, scientists, artists, and politicians, demonstrating the surname's widespread influence over time.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Nicollet"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

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