Nicherson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Nicherson was formed. The name was derived from the personal name Nicholas. The Latin form of this name was Nicolaus, and it was derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, which is derived from the words nikan, which means to conquer, and laos, which means people. 1 However, the name is best remembered by an American corruption of his name: Santa Claus. The surname Nicherson uses the patronymic suffix -son.

Early Origins of the Nicherson family

The surname Nicherson was first found in Cumberland and Northumberland where "most families of this name trace." 2

"With few exceptions confined to the northern half of England, being most frequent in Cumberland and Northumberland, and afterwards in Durham and in the adjacent parts of Yorkshire. From the north of England the Nicholsons and Nicolsons have extended into the Scottish border counties, especially into Dumfriesshire." 3

Early History of the Nicherson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nicherson research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1443, 1446, 1489, 1544, 1547, 1655, 1663, 1669, 1683, 1688, 1694, 1698, 1712, 1714, 1720, 1725, 1728 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Nicherson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nicherson Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Nicherson include Nicholson, Nichaelson, Nichalson, Nicherson and others.

Early Notables of the Nicherson family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nicherson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nicherson family to Ireland

Some of the Nicherson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 79 words (6 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 Nicherson family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Nicherson were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Garret Nicholson, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Alex Nicholson, who settled in Virginia in 1650; as well as George, Jane, John, Phillip Nicholson also settled in Virginia.

The Nicherson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per Castra ad astra
Motto Translation: Through the camp to the stars.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.