Neilson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


In ancient Scotland, Neilson was a Strathclyde-Briton name for someone who lived in Ayrshire. The Neilson 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 Neilson family

The surname Neilson 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 Neilson family

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

Neilson Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Neilson has been spelled Neilson, Nielson, Nilson, Nylson and others.

Early Notables of the Neilson family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Neilson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Neilson is the 5,149th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Neilson is ranked the 792nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,937 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Neilson is the 470th popular surname with an estimated 1,462 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Neilson family to Ireland

Some of the Neilson 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.


Neilson migration to the United States +

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them:

Neilson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Neilson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Neilson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Neilson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Neilson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Neilson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Neilson migration to Australia +

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

Neilson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Neilson 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:

Neilson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Neilson (post 1700) +


The Neilson 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.
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