Neilsen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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It was in the Scottish/English Borderlands that the Strathclyde-Briton people first used the ancient name Neilsen. It was a name for someone who lived in Ayrshire. The Neilsen 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 Neilsen family

The surname Neilsen 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 Neilsen family

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

Neilsen Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Neilsen has appeared as Neilson, Nielson, Nilson, Nylson and others.

Early Notables of the Neilsen family

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

Neilsen Ranking

In the United States, the name Neilsen is the 10,860^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Neilsen family to Ireland

Some of the Neilsen 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.

Neilsen migration to the United States +

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them:

Neilsen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hans Peter Neilsen, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1872 2
Olaf Neilsen, aged 26, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1883 2

Neilsen Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Niels Peter Neilsen, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1902 2

Neilsen migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Neilsen Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Neilsen, aged 50, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
Isabella Neilsen, aged 40, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
William Neilsen, aged 10, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
Jane Neilsen, aged 8, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
Henry Neilsen, aged 6, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland

Neilsen 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:

Neilsen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Didrick Neilsen, aged 20, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "England" in 1872 3
Jorgen Neilsen, aged 24, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "England" in 1872 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Neilsen (post 1700) +

Philip Max Neilsen (b. 1949), Australian poet, fiction writer for adults, young adults and children, and professor of creative writing and English at the Queensland University of Technology
Jade Neilsen (b. 1991), Australian silver medalist swimmer at the 2012 Olympic Games
Lorri Neilsen Glenn, Canadian poet, ethnographer, and essayist
Lorri Neilsen Glenn, award-winning Canadian poet 4

The Neilsen 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.