Nillsson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Nillsson was first used as a surname in the Scottish/English Borderlands by the Strathclyde-Briton. The first Nillsson family lived in Ayrshire. The Nillsson family name is also a Scottish patronymic name created from the personal name Neill. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Néill meaning "descendant, or son of Niall."

Early Origins of the Nillsson family

The surname Nillsson was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Nillsson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nillsson research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1474 and 1654 are included under the topic Early Nillsson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nillsson Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Nillsson has been spelled Neilson, Nielson, Nilson, Nylson and others.

Early Notables of the Nillsson family

More information is included under the topic Early Nillsson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nillsson family to Ireland

Some of the Nillsson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nillsson family

Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them: James Neilson, who came to Virginia in 1696; George Neilson, who came to Maryland in 1716; Rachel Neilson, who arrived in New England in 1720; James Neilson, who came to Boston in 1738.

The Nillsson 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: His regi servitium
Motto Translation: With these we render service to the king.