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Show ContentsNicholson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Nicholson is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is 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 Nicholson uses the patronymic suffix -son.

Early Origins of the Nicholson family

The surname Nicholson 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 Nicholson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nicholson 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 Nicholson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nicholson Spelling Variations

Nicholson has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Nicholson have been found, including Nicholson, Nichaelson, Nichalson, Nicherson and others.

Early Notables of the Nicholson family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • Sir William Nicholson of Lasswade
  • Thomas Nicholson of Carnock, 4th Lord Napier (1669-1688), Scottish peer named Lord Napier (1683-1688)

Nicholson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Nicholson is the 522nd most popular surname with an estimated 54,714 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Nicholson is ranked the 386th most popular surname with an estimated 12,090 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Nicholson is the 248th popular surname with an estimated 14,006 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Nicholson as 202nd with 2,748 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Nicholson as 184th with 29,999 people. 8

Ireland Migration of the Nicholson family to Ireland

Some of the Nicholson 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.

United States Nicholson migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Nicholsons to arrive on North American shores:

Nicholson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Garret Nicholson, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • Elizabeth Nicholson, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 9
  • Garret Nicholson, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 9
  • Mr. Garret Nicholson, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Constance" arriving in Virginia in 1635 10
  • Eliz Nicholson, who landed in Virginia in 1637 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nicholson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Richard Nicholson, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 9
  • Peter Nicholson, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 9
  • William Nicholson, who arrived in Maryland in 1720 9
  • George, Nicholson Jr., who arrived in Virginia in 1724 9
  • Geo Nicholson, who landed in Virginia in 1724 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nicholson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Patrick Nicholson, who landed in America in 1808 9
  • Duncan Nicholson, who arrived in North Carolina in 1809 9
  • Christopher Nicholson, aged 31, who arrived in Maryland in 1812 9
  • J M Nicholson, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1812 9
  • S Nicholson, aged 26, who arrived in North Carolina in 1812 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Nicholson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Nicholson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Nicholson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Mr. James Nicholson U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Penobscot Association 11
  • Mr. John Nicholson U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 11
  • Mr. Robert Nicholson U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 11
  • Mr. Robert Nicholson U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nicholson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Nicholson, aged 35, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Samuel" from Liverpool, England
  • Robert Nicholson, aged 30, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Samuel" from Liverpool, England
  • Mr. Richard Nicholson, aged 40 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Manchester" departing 5th June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 17th July 1847 but he died on board 12
  • Dond Nicholson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1848
  • J C Nicholson, who landed in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nicholson Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • F Nicholson, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Australia Nicholson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Nicholson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Miss Alice Nicholson, (nèe Stewart), (b. 1770), aged 28, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1827 13
Nicholson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Nicholson, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Richard Nicholson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • Mr. Robert Nicholson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • Mr. Henry Nicholson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Miss Elizabeth Nicholson, (b. 1799), aged 27, Irish house servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 3rd October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Nicholson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Nicholson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • E. Nicholson, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Brougham" in 1842
  • Thomas D. Nicholson, aged 30, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 18
  • Alison Nicholson, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 18
  • Catherine Ria Nicholson, aged 4, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 18
  • Janet Dickson Nicholson, aged 3, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" in 1848 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Nicholson (post 1700) +

  • John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (b. 1937), three-time Academy Award winning American actor, film director and producer
  • David Lawrence Nicholson (1939-2023), American Major League Baseball baseball outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles (1960 and 1962), Chicago White Sox (1963–1965), Houston Astros (1966) and Atlanta Braves (1967)
  • Robert James "Jim" Nicholson (b. 1938), American Secretary of Veterans Affairs from January 2005 to October 2007
  • Sir Sydney Nicholson (1875-1947), English choir director, founder of the Royal College of Music
  • Elliot Nicholson (1871-1953), English rugby union player
  • Russ Nicholson (d. 2023), British illustrator, best known for his black and white fantasy art
  • Mavis Nicholson (1930-2022), Welsh writer and radio and television broadcaster from Briton Ferry, Neath, Glamorgan
  • Ms. Lindsay Nicholson M.B.E., British Editor for Good Housekeeping, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Journalism and Equal Opportunities 19
  • Mrs. Wendy Jane Nicholson M.B.E., British National Lead Nurse for Children, Young People and Families for Public Health England, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Nursing for Children and Young People 20
  • John Nicholson (1941-2017), New Zealand racing driver from Auckland
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Miss Christine Margaret Nicholson (1953-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 21
HMAS Sydney II
HMS Cornwall
  • John Edward Nicholson, British Sub Lieutenant (E) aboard the HMS Cornwall (1942) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 23
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Thomas W Nicholson (b. 1916), English Cook serving for the Royal Navy from Gateshead, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
  • Mr. Alfred F Nicholson (b. 1912), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Alverstoke, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. William Barlett Nicholson, British Corporal, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25
  • Mr. Nicholson, British Canteen NAAFI, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25
HMS Royal Oak
  • William Daniel Nicholson (d. 1939), British Petty Officer with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Charles Duncan Nicholson, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 27
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Arthur Ernest Nicholson (d. 1912), aged 64, English First Class passenger from Shanklin, Isle of Wight who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 28
SS Atlantic
  • Mrs. Anne Nicholson, Irish traveler aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Mr. John Nicholson, Irish traveler aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Miss Mary Nicholson, Irish traveler aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
  • Pat. Nicholson, Irish traveler aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Glen Eldon Nicholson, American Electrician's Mate Third Class from North Dakota, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 29
  • Mr. hancel Grant Nicholson, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 29

The Nicholson 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.
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  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  12. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 91)
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 4 July 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
  20. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
  21. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  22. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  23. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  24. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  25. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  26. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  27. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  28. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  29. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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