Spouse: *****

Child-1: Robert
          2: Janet - b: ~1548 - England
          3: Thomas - b: ~1550 - England

Biographical Details:

It would seem obvious that the surname "Nicholl" (or "Nichol") is a form of the familar given name "Nicholas" and, perhaps, arose originally from vernacular or patronymic usage, probably in Scotland.¹  Of course, the popularity of the name derives from its connection with Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, who was born near the end of the third century at Patara in Lycia in Asia Minor.  He has become known to history as St. Nicholas and, as such, provides the ultimate source for the modern, popular Christmas symbol, Santa Claus.  Even more ancient, the first element of the name can be recognized immediately as the Greek word "nike", that is to say, "victory".  Indeed, used as a proper noun, Nike, denotes the mythical Greek goddess of victory, companion of the powerful goddess, Athena.  Accordingly, Nike was thought to be capable of running and flying at great speed.  Thus, when joined with the second element of the name, the combined meaning can be rendered as "victorious people".

It is likely that John Nicholl was born in Lincolnshire about 1520.  Nothing definite is known regarding his wife.  However, administration of the estate of John Nicholl of Glamford Brigg was granted to his son, Robert, on March 6, 1569 (1570 N. S.).²

1. Patrick Hanks (ed.), Oxford Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, periodically updated.
     "English and Dutch: from the personal name (Greek Nikolaos, from nikan 'to conquer' + laos 'people').  Forms with -ch- are due to hypercorrection (compare Anthony).  The name in various vernacular forms was popular among Christians throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, largely as a result of the fame of a 4th-century Lycian bishop, about whom a large number of legends grew up, and who was venerated in the Orthodox Church as well as the Catholic.  In English-speaking countries, this surname is also found as an Americanized form of various Greek surnames such as Papanikolaou '(son of) Nicholas the priest' and patronymics such as Nikolopoulos."
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2. Patricia Law Hatcher, "Research and Red Herrings: The Wives of William Luddington and Matthew Moulthrop of New Haven, Connecticut with their English Origins", The American Genealogist, Vol. 74, pgs. 81-96, 1999.
     Information from the Bishops Transcripts of Wrawby, Co. Lincoln.:
"Administration for John Nicoll of Glamforth Brigg: 6 March 1570 administration of the goods of John Nicholl of Glamford Bryge deceased, intestate, was granted to Robert Nicholl, son of thedeceased."
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Additional Citations:

3. Lincolnshire Act Books, Bk. 2 (1568-69), pg. 76.  (LDS Family History Library microfilm: roll #200124, Salt Lake City, UT, 2004.)   (Jerome E. Anderson (tr))

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