Family history

Family history

Only two generations of this family line have been identified. The direct descendents are my 9^th great-grandfather Martin Nagel born around 1634, and his daughter Anna Margareta Nagel. The Nagel family lived in the town of Blankenloch that is located just north of the city of Karlsruhe in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Anna Nagel was born at Blankenloch in 1660. She married Hans Claus Cammerer also a native of Blankenloch in 1678. Anna gave birth to at least three known children between 1680 and 1684. She passed away at Blankenloch in 1729 at the age 45 years. I am descended through her daughter Catharina Margareta Cammerer born in 1680.

Origins of the surname

With the passing of generations and the movement of families moved from place to place many of the original identifying names were altered into some of the versions that we are familiar with today. Over the centuries, most of our European ancestors accepted their surname as an unchangeable part of their lives. Thus people rarely changed their surname. Variations of most surnames were usually the result of an involuntary act such as when a government official wrote a name phonetically or made an error in transcription. Research into the record of this Nagel family line indicates that the variations, meanings and history of this surname is most likely linked to that area of Europe where the German* language is commonly spoken.

Meaning of the Name

Most of the modern family names throughout Europe have originated from with of the following circumstances: occupation (i.e., Carpenter, Cooper, Brewer, Mason); locational (Middleton, Sidney, or Ireland) or topographical (i.e. Hill, Brook, Forrest, Dale); nicknames (i.e., Moody Freeholder, Wise, Armstrong); and acquired ornamental names that were simply made up.

Nagel is found as a German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Jewish (Ashkenazic) surname. Nagel originated from Middle High German, Middle Dutch nagel, German Nagel ‘nail’, hence a metonymic occupational name for a maker of nails.

History of the Name

First found in Westphalia, where this family made important contributions toward the development of this district from ancient times. Also found early on in the western German kingdoms of Baden and Wurrtemburg.

Early Immigrants to North America

During the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries hundreds of thousands of Europeans made the perilous ocean voyage to North America. For many it was an escape from economic hardship and religious persecution. For most it was an opportunity for to start over, own their own land, and make a better future for their descendents. Immigration records show a number of people bearing the name of Nagel, or one of its variants, as arriving in North America between the 17^th and 20^th centuries. Some of these immigrants were: Martin Neagle sailed for Virginia in 'The Rebecca' in the year l679; Jacob Nagel, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1730. Heinrich Nagele came to Philadelphia in 1754; while Heinrich Nageli settled in Carolina in 1742; Adam Nagel, who settled in Illinois in 1844; Adolf Nagel, who settled in Wisconsin in 1847.

* German Surname Meanings & Origins

Many German names have their roots in the Germanic middle ages. The process of forming family names began around the year 1100 and extended through 1600. All social classes and demographic strata aided in the development of names. First Names (Rufnamen) identified specific persons. Over time the first name began to be applied to the bearer's whole family. At first through verbal usage, family names (Familiennamen) were later fixed through writing. Until the 17th century, first names played a more important role. The earliest family names derived from the first name of the first bearer (Patronym). Later names derived from the place of dwelling and location of the homestead. If a person of family migrated from one place to another they were identified by the place they came from. Of more recent origin are names derived from the vocation of profession of the first bearer. These names comprise the largest group and the most easily recognizable, for they tell what the first bearer did for a living. Another group are names derived from a physical or other characteristic of the first bearer. Finally, there are names that tell you the state or region a first bearer and his family came from; the age old division in tribes and regions (low German, middle German and upper German) is often reflected in names.

Family coat of arms

There are several coat of arms designs for the Nagel family. The most common German version exhibits a silver shield with a blue saltire engrailed. Another interesting German design shows a diagonal gold field with three stars along with a blue field that incorporates a mountain goat. There is also a Dutch style that features a blue shield with a gold cross. The family motto is not known as it is unusual for a German Achievement to include a motto.

The Irish coat-of-arms shows an ermine shield with three gold lozenges on a blue fesse. The crest figure is commonly a gold nightingale. The Irish family motto is is ‘Non vox sed votum’ translated as ‘Not in voice but a wish’.

Coat of Arms

A Coat of Arms is defined as a group of emblems and figures (heraldic bearings) usually arranged on and around a shield and serving as the special insignia of some person, family, or institution. Except for a few cases, there is really no such thing as a standard "coat of arms" for a surname. A coat of arms, more properly called an armorial achievement, armorial bearings or often just arms for short, is a design usually granted only to a single person not to an entire family or to a particular surname. Coats of arms are inheritable property, and they generally descend to male lineal descendents of the original arms grantee. The rules and traditions regarding Coats of Arms vary from country to country. Therefore a Coat of Arms for an English family would differ from that of a German family even when the surname is the same. The art of designing, displaying, describing, and recording arms is called heraldry. The use of coats of arms by countries, states, provinces, towns and villages is called civic heraldry. Some of the more prominent elements incorporated into a coat of arms are :

Crest - The word crest is often mistakenly applied to a coat of arms. The crest was a later development arising from the love of pageantry. Initially the crest consisted of charges painted onto a ridge on top of the helmet.

Wreath or Torse – The torse is a twist of cloth or wreath underneath and part of a crest. Always shown as six twists, the first tincture being the tincture of the field, the second the tincture of the metal, and so on.

Mantling – The mantling is a drapery tied to the helmet above the shield. It forms a backdrop for the shield.

Helm or Helmet - The helmet or helm is situated above the shield and bears the torse and crest. The style of helmet displayed varies according to rank and social status, and these styles developed over time, in step with the development of actual military helmets.

Shield or Arms - The basis of all coats of arms. At their simplest, arms consist of a shield with a plain field on which appears a geometrical shape or object. The items appearing on the shield are known as charges.

Motto - The motto was originally a war cry, but later mottoes often expressed some worthy sentiment. It may appear at the top or bottom of a family coat of arms.

Variations of the surname

Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to unfold and expand often leading to an overwhelming number of variants. As such one can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames because in early times, spelling in general and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized. Later on spellings would change with the branching and movement of families. Spelling variations of this family name include: Nagel, Naegel, Nageli, Naegeli, Nagell, Nagler, Nagele, Naegele, Naegelen, Negel, Negele, Nail, Neil, Naugel, Neagle, Nangle and many others. Spelling variations of the DUTCH family name include: Tengnagel, Tengnagele, Tengnageles, Tengnagelle, Tenggnagel, Tengnnagel, Tengnaggel, Tengnagels, van Tengnagel and many more.

The complexity of researching records is compounded by the fact that in many cases an ancestors surname may also have been misspelled. This is especially true when searching census documents. The Soundex system was developed in an effort to assist with identifying spelling variations for a given surname. Soundex is a method of indexing names in the 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 US Census, and can aid genealogists in their research. The Soundex Code for Nagel is N240. Other surnames sharing this Soundex Code: NAGEL | NAGLE | NEAGLE | NICELY | NICHOL | NICKEL | NICKELL | NICOL | NICOLAY | NICOLL | NOGGLE | NOZELL |.

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RESOURCES WEBPAGE

Direct Ancestors

Descendant Register

Generation 1

Martin Nagel-1 was born on Abt. 1634 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. He died on Aft. 1660 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. He married Anna Barbara Nagel (Nee?) on Bef. 1660 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. She was born on Abt. 1638 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. She died on Aft. 1660 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Child of Martin Nagel and Anna Barbara Nagel (Nee?) is Anna Margaretha Nagel, B: Feb 1660 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 30 Oct 1729 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, M: 05 Feb 1678 in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Generation 2

Anna Margaretha Nagel-2(Martin Nagel-1) was born on Feb 1660 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. She died on 30 Oct 1729 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. She married Hans Claus Cammerer on 05 Feb 1678 in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, son of Isaak Cammerer. He was born on 01 Mar 1652 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. He died on 07 May 1693 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Children of Anna Margaretha Nagel and Hans Claus Cammerer are:

i. Hans Georg Cammerer, B: 26 Nov 1680 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

ii. Catharina Margareta Cammerer, B: 30 Jul 1682 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 13 Aug 1722 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, M: 16 Jan 1700 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

iii. Anna Barbara Cammerer, B: 08 Mar 1684 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Additional information about our DIRECT ANCESTORS as well as a complete listing of individuals with this surname may be reviewed by clicking on the following LINK.

DKPS Surname Locator

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Ancestral locations

Researching the locations where my ancestors lived has provided me with valuable evidence needed to fill-in the gaps in my family trees. It has also led me to many interesting facts that enhance the overall picture of each family group. The names of states and counties on the following list were derived from the known places where the persons in the “Direct Ancestors” list (see above) were born, married, and / or died.

COUNTRY

STATE

COUNTY / SUBDIVISION

GERMANY

BADEN-WURTTEMBERG

Karlsruhe/ Blankenloch

Use this LINK to find out more about the locations listed above.

ANCESTRAL LOCATIONS

Where in the World

are My Ancestors?

Resources which enhance our knowledge of the places inhabited by our ancestors are almost as important as their names. The LINK to the left will take you to Maps, Gazetteers, and other helpful resources that

will assist in discovering Ancestral Locations. These web sites comprise only a small portion of what is available for researchers interested in learning more about the areas in which their ancestors lived.

Source documents

The documents and headstones contained within the “Source Documents Archives” have been located during my research of this family, and used as evidence to prove many of the facts contained within the database of this family’s record.

Most of these documents can be considered as primary or secondary evidence. Primary evidence is usually defined as the best available to prove the fact in question, usually in an original document or record. Secondary evidence is in essence all that evidence which is inferior in its origin to primary evidence. That does not mean secondary evidence is always in error, but there is a greater chance of error. Examples of this type of evidence would be a copy of an original record, or oral testimony of a record’s contents. Published genealogies and family histories are also secondary evidence.

Classifying evidence as either primary or secondary does not tell anything about its accuracy or ultimate value. This is especially true of secondary evidence. Thus it is always a good idea to ask the following questions: (1) How far removed from the original is it, (when it is a copy)?; (2) What was the reason for the creation of the source which contains this evidence?; and (3) Who was responsible for creating this secondary evidence and what interest did they have in its accuracy?

SOURCE: Greenwood, Val D., The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 2^nd edition, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD 21202, 1990, pgs. 62-63

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SOURCE DOCUMENTS

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General Surname Resources

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Free Genealogy Search Help for Google - This free genealogy site will help you use Google™ for your research. It will create a series of different searches using tips or "tricks" that will likely improve your results. The different searches will give you many different ways of using Google to find ancestry information on the Internet.

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Top Genealogical Websites - These mighty roots resources compiled by “Family Tree Magazine”, will give you the power to bust through research brick walls and find answers about your ancestors—all from your home computer.

SurnameDB Free database of surname meanings - This site SurnameDB.Com contains a large FREE to access database (almost 50,000 surnames) on the history and meaning of family last names.

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Images gallery

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Email

Snail Mail:

Fred
889 Dante Ct.
Mantua, NJ 08051

USA

Email

Snail Mail:

Fred
889 Dante Ct.
Mantua, NJ 08051

USA