Show ContentsNeilson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

  • John Neilson of Corsock

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]

Ireland 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.


United States 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
  • James Neilson, who settled in Virginia in 1696
Neilson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • George Neilson, who settled in Maryland in 1716
  • Rachel Neilson, who arrived in New England in 1720 [4]
  • James Neilson, who settled in Boston in 1738
  • Richard Neilson, who settled in Carolina in 1743
  • Hugh Neilson, who arrived in North Carolina in 1760 [4]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Neilson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth, James, Jane, John, Joseph, and Norman Neilson, who all, who arrived in Baltimore in 1803
  • Elizabeth Neilson, aged 12, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1803 [4]
  • Joseph Neilson, aged 26, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1803 [4]
  • Margaret Neilson, aged 24, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1803 [4]
  • Jane Neilson, aged 14, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1803 [4]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Neilson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Neilson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Aron Neilson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1759
  • Moses Neilson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1759
Neilson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Alexander Neilson, aged 40, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Mary Neilson, aged 40, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
  • John Neilson, aged 10, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Ann Jane Neilson, aged 6, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Susan Neilson, aged 5, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia 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
  • James Neilson, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia [5]
  • Mr. Charles Neilson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 11th March 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [6]
  • Andrew Neilson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Woodstock" in 1851 [7]
  • Robert Neilson, aged 24, a carter, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "William Stevenson" [8]
  • Mr. John Neilson who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Clara" on 19th March 1857, arriving in Western Australia, Australia [9]

New Zealand 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
  • James Neilson, aged 27, a farm servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 [10]
  • Mr. A. Neilson, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 [11]
  • Mr. Thomas Neilson, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Black Eagle" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th November 1861 [11]
  • Thomas Neilson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Black Eagle" in 1861 [10]
  • Charles Neilson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1861
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Neilson (post 1700) +

  • John Neilson (1944-2000), American movie and TV actor
  • William Allan Neilson (1869-1946), American (Scottish born) educator, professor of English at Harvard (1906-17)
  • Derek Neilson (1959-2017), Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper (1980-1987)
  • John Neilson (1776-1848), Scottish-born, Canadian newspaper editor and politician in Quebec and early Canada
  • James Beaumont Neilson (1792-1865), Scottish engineer
  • Peter Neilson (1954-2022), British-born, New Zealand businessman and politician from Birmingham, England, 34th Minister of Works and Development in 1990
  • James Anthony "Chief" Neilson (1940-2020), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey defenceman
  • Perlita Neilson (1933-2014), born Margaret Phillipa Sowden, English film, stage and television actress, perhaps best known for her role as Anne Frank in the London production of The Diary of Anne Frank (1957)
  • William Arthur Neilson (1925-1989), Australian Politician, Premier of Tasmania (1975-1977)
  • Julia Neilson (1868-1957), English actress

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Cornelius Neilson, British Greaser from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking [12]
RMS Lusitania
  • Miss Gerda Theoline Neilson, English 3rd Class passenger from Durham, England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [13]
  • Miss Violet Neilson, Norwegian 3rd Class passenger from Norway, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [13]
  • Mr. Charles H. Neilson, American 2nd Class passenger from Brooklyn, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [13]
  • Mr. Henry Neilson, American 2nd Class passenger from Brooklyn, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [13]
  • Mrs. Frances Neilson, American 2nd Class passenger from Brooklyn, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [13]
St. Francis Dam
  • Mr. William W. Neilson Sr., Scottish born American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
  • Mr. William W. Neilson Jr., American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
  • Mrs. Ellen A. Neilson, (nee Mautino), American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
  • Miss Bertha Jane Neilson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
  • Mr. Frank A. Neilson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928
  • ... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


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.


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  3. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  4. 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)
  5. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
  7. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) WOODSTOCK 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Woodstock.htm
  8. South Australian Register Friday 2nd February 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) William Stevenson 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/williamstevenson1855.shtml
  9. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 11th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clara
  10. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  11. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  12. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  13. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/


Houseofnames.com on Facebook