Surname Nagle - Meaning and Origin
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A Celtic Revelation: Unmasking the Celtic Roots of the Nagle Surname through an iGENEA DNA Test
The transformative journey started with an iGENEA DNA test. What had initially appeared to be a simple examination of my ancestry, led me down a path of self-discovery and a richer understanding of my heritage. Upon finding out that my surname, Nagle, ties back to Celtic roots, my outlook on my family's identity has been forever altered, providing a significantly meaningful context to my familial bonds.
J. Nagle
read moreNagle: What does the surname Nagle mean?
The last name Nagle is of Irish origin and derives from the Old Gaelic name "O'hAngaile", meaning 'descendant of the son of the champion'. Essentially, the term "hAngaile" is believed to have been an epithet or a nickname that possibly referred to someone who was known for their notable prowess in athletics or sports, maybe in the ancient sports of Ireland. It features the Gaelic prefix 'O' which implies 'grandson/descendant of', indicating a hereditary link. The name is prevalent in Ireland, mainly in County Cork, as well as other places across the world due to the Irish diaspora. Like many surnames, the spelling has changed over time and it might be found with multiple variations such as Nagel, Nangle, Neagle, etc.
Order DNA origin analysisNagle: Where does the name Nagle come from?
The last name Nagle is quite common throughout parts of Europe, especially in Ireland. In the United States, the name is scattered around the country but is most heavily concentrated in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. It is estimated that over 25,000 people bear this name in the United States. In Ireland, the Nagle name is most common in the counties of Cork, Dublin, and Waterford. The name is particularly common in County Waterford with it being the ninth most popular surname in the area.
In the United Kingdom, the Nagle name appears in the counties of London, Essex, Suffolk, and Lancashire. In Australia, the Nagle name can be found in a variety of states, including Western Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria.
It appears the name Nagle has its roots in Ireland, most likely from a Norman invasion in the 11th Century. It is believed the name in its original form of de Nogla, which resembles “of the oak”. It is thought it may have been given to families who lived in oak forests in Ireland. Today, the name continues to thrive in a variety of countries and continues to symbolize a strong bond with Irish culture and heritage.
Variations of the surname Nagle
The surname Nagle has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The common variants of the name include Nail, Naill, Neill, Neale, Nayle, O'Nail, O'Neill, Noll, and Noell.
Nagle is the anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Neachtain, which is one of the oldest and most common of Gaelic Celtic surnames. It is often spelled Ó Neachtain, Ó Neachtáin, Ó Nachtáin, Ó Nectáin, and Ó Nechtáin. The literal meaning of the name is "descendant of Neachtán", the byname "Neachtán" is the diminutive form of a Gaelic word meaning "bold".
The Nagle surname has a number of distinct origin points associated with different spelling variations. Anglo-Norman families often spelled it as Neill or Neale. The O'Neill spelling is related to the the Ulster sept, the northern Irish branch of the ancient and powerful O'Neill dynasty.
The Noll surname is derived from a medieval Latin term for a tenant farmer, "noll" or "nollus". The Noell variation is believed to have developed as an erroneous form of the Noll spelling.
The Nail version of the surname, as well as variants like Nayle, come from late Old English and early Middle English forms of the given name Nichol (nickname for Nicholas) or Nichola. The spelling changed over time, eventually becoming Nagle.
Overall, the Nagle surname has numerous variants stemming from many different origins and localized countries. These include Nail, Naill, Neill, Neale, Nayle, O'Nail, O'Neill, Noll, and Noell.
Famous people with the name Nagle
- Joseph Nagle: Professional skateboarder and musician who is the founder and frontman of folk punk group Dr. Martino.
- Patrick Nagle: American painter whose abstract paintings are often compared to those of Wassily Kandinsky.
- Sarah Nagle: Golden Globe winning actress known for playing April on The Wonder Years.
- Johanna Nagle: Emmy award-winning costume designer best known for her work on the film Dr. Strangelove.
- Dennis Nagle: Former NBA player and coach who played for the Denver Nuggets and coached the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Don Nagle: Actor who starred in films such as The Devil's Rejects and The Rules of Attraction.
- Bob Nagle: Major League Baseball All-Star who played for the Chicago Cubs.
- Addison Nagle: Fashion designer and stylist who has been credited with modernizing Indian fashion.
- Joseph F. Nagle: American politician and World War II veteran who served as mayor of Waterbury, Connecticut.
- Gregory Nagle: Award-winning Broadway actor who is known for his roles in Rent and Hairspray.