The population of Nagytevel in Ottoman Hungary was nearly destroyed. By 1578 Nagytevel was documented as a bleak. The village was unpopulated for nearly 100 years so organized settling of people became necessary. In 1718-18, the Cistercian Abbey in Zirc settled families in the region. The families came from Silesia, France, Moravia and Croatia. Those from Silesia were involved in crafts and farming. The settlers from the Bavaria region embarked on ships in Ulm, Dunauwörth and Regensburg. The contract they signed stated that they were free of taxes for the next three years after settling.

In the 18th century 13 weavers lived in the region making it a prominent craft. By the turn of the 20th century, the number of population lessened gradually, first due to a great number of people leaving for the USA, then due to resettling. In 1946-47 89 German families were tracked down. In those days, the number of population was 900, but soon 440 of them were resettled. 55 families arrived to take their place from present day Slovakia and some from nearby villages.

The German Ethnic Minority Self-government of Nagytevel was established in 1994. It took on the task of maintaining and preserving German traditions. The German Cultural Center first opened in the former school building in 1997. The The Local History Collection with furniture, articles, cloths and items from the past are is located in the building.

Nagytevel hosts the German Ethnic Festival in August and the Village Day in June.