Show ContentsNelsyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Nelsyn is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from a patronymic name created from the given name "Nell," or for the Irish, "Niall." The name is also listed as a baptismal name "the son of Eleanor" from the nickname "Nell."

Early Origins of the Nelsyn family

The surname Nelsyn was first found in Lancashire (located in northwest England and dates back to 1180), where records show many instances of the name in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where Adam Nel was listed. Most are from Lancashire, but there is another from Cambridge: John filius Nel. William Neleson was listed in the Rolls of Parliament. 1

"The Banastres of Maudsley adopted the name of Maudesley, and bore the cross sable of Banastre. In 1377 Richard Nelson (Fitz-Nigel) of Maudsley (a branch of the Maudsleys), whose descendants bore the arms of Maudsley (with a bend), granted lands at Maudsley with remainder to George, son of Robert Nelson. In 1405 Robert Nelson of Maudsley conveyed lands to Peter Banastre and Edward Maudesley, and sealed with the above arms." 2

"Nelson is a name found in Cumberland and Westmoreland, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Lincoln, and Norfolk. The naval hero of the name was son of a Norfolk rector. Nelson is a Lancashire town. The Fairhurst Nelsons, who owned Fairhurst Hall, Eccleston, during the last and in the present century, belong to an ancient family, a branch of which held lands in Mawdesley as far back as the reign of Richard II. " 3

Early History of the Nelsyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nelsyn research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1350, 1638, 1654, 1656, 1686, 1715, 1734, 1758, 1766, 1805 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Nelsyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nelsyn Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Nelsyn include Nelson, Nellson, Nelsan, Nelston, Neleson and others.

Early Notables of the Nelsyn family

Notables of the family at this time include Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte KB (1758-1805) the British flag officer in the Royal Navy, widely regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history.John Nalson (1638?-1686), was an English clergyman, historian and early Tory pamphleteer; Robert Nelson (1656-1715)...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nelsyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Nelsyn family to Ireland

Some of the Nelsyn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 111 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nelsyn family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Francis Nelson, who arrived in Virginia in 1606, 14 years before the "Mayflower"; George Nelson, who came to Virginia in 1623; Ambrose Nelson, who arrived in Maryland in 1666.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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