[3] The present name of San Nicolas was given in the year 1733, after Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, who was believed to have protected the people against floods, earthquakes, fires, typhoons and other calamities.

Like any other town in the ancient province of Ilocos, San Nicolas was established by Augustinian missionaries.

These buildings and structures are originally built and continue to be festooned with earthen bricks, which is among the products of the surviving locals.

San Nicolas has a tropical savanna climate with warm to hot temperatures year round.

Other Christian denominations represented in the town include Baptists, Pentecostals, Mormons, Charismatics and Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of God World Missions Phil.

It was introduced by the Spaniards mainly in Barangay 8, and they called it Alfareria, meaning "Art of Pottery".

San Nicolas, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Norte, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code.