Contents [hide]

Nelson History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Nelson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Nelson

What does the name Nelson mean?

The history of the name Nelson begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from a patronymic name created from the given name "Nell," or for the Irish, "Niall." The name is also listed as a baptismal name "the son of Eleanor" from the nickname "Nell."

Early Origins of the Nelson family

The surname Nelson was first found in Lancashire (located in northwest England and dates back to 1180), where records show many instances of the name in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where Adam Nel was listed. Most are from Lancashire, but there is another from Cambridge: John filius Nel. William Neleson was listed in the Rolls of Parliament. 1

"The Banastres of Maudsley adopted the name of Maudesley, and bore the cross sable of Banastre. In 1377 Richard Nelson (Fitz-Nigel) of Maudsley (a branch of the Maudsleys), whose descendants bore the arms of Maudsley (with a bend), granted lands at Maudsley with remainder to George, son of Robert Nelson. In 1405 Robert Nelson of Maudsley conveyed lands to Peter Banastre and Edward Maudesley, and sealed with the above arms." 2

"Nelson is a name found in Cumberland and Westmoreland, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Lincoln, and Norfolk. The naval hero of the name was son of a Norfolk rector. Nelson is a Lancashire town. The Fairhurst Nelsons, who owned Fairhurst Hall, Eccleston, during the last and in the present century, belong to an ancient family, a branch of which held lands in Mawdesley as far back as the reign of Richard II. " 3

Early History of the Nelson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nelson research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1350, 1638, 1654, 1656, 1686, 1715, 1734, 1758, 1766, 1805 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Nelson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nelson Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Nelson has been recorded under many different variations, including Nelson, Nellson, Nelsan, Nelston, Neleson and others.

Early Notables of the Nelson family

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte KB (1758-1805) the British flag officer in the Royal Navy, widely regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history
John Nalson (1638?-1686), was an English clergyman, historian and early Tory pamphleteer; Robert Nelson (1656-1715), an English lay religious writer and nonjuror; John Nelson (1654-1734), an English c...

Nelson World Ranking

the United States, the name Nelson is the 39^th most popular surname with an estimated 402,894 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Nelson is ranked the 112^nd most popular surname with an estimated 26,174 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Nelson is the 150^th popular surname with an estimated 19,500 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Nelson as 107^th with 3,932 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Nelson as 217^th with 26,572 people. 8 South Africa ranks Nelson as 777^th with 8,880 people. 9

Migration of the Nelson family to Ireland

Some of the Nelson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 111 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nelson migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Nelson or a variant listed above:

Nelson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Francis Nelson, who arrived in Virginia in 1606
Robert Nelson, who landed in America in 1620 11
George Nelson, aged 19, who settled in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Francis Bonaventure", found in Jamestown 11
Miche Nelson, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1627 11
Joseph Nelson, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Plain Joan" 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nelson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Nelson, who settled in Yorktown, Virginia in 1700 (his son William became President of the Dominion of Virginia under the English crown and his grandson was to later become Governor of Virginia)
Paul Nelson, who landed in Virginia in 1701 11
Mary Nelson, who landed in North Carolina in 1702 11
John, Nelson Sr., who landed in North Carolina in 1702 11
Joan Nelson, who landed in North Carolina in 1702 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nelson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mathew Nelson, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 11
Gerard Nelson, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 11
Dawson Nelson, aged 18, who arrived in Delaware in 1812 11
Alexander Nelson, aged 33, who landed in Virginia in 1812 11
Robert Nelson, aged 38, who landed in New York in 1812-1813 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nelson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Charley Nelson, who arrived in Arkansas in 1904 11
Peter Nelson, who arrived in Arkansas in 1906 11
Emma Elizabeth Nelson, who landed in Colorado in 1907 11
Karl Nelson, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1910 11
Andrew Gustaf Nelson, who landed in Wisconsin in 1910 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nelson migration to Canada +

Nelson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Isabella Nelson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Harker Nelson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Ann Nelson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
Mr. James Nelson U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 452 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 12
Mr. Samuel Nelson U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nelson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Joseph W Nelson, who landed in Canada in 1831
James Nelson, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
Isabella Nelson, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
John Nelson, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
Nancy Nelson, aged 35, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nelson Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

J E Nelson, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Nelson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Mr. Isaac Nelson, (1762 - 1833), aged 28, British settler convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. James Nelson, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Mr. William Nelson, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1791, sentenced to 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11

Following the Second Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Nelson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Matthew Nelson, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Edward Nelson, (b. 1769), aged 38, English labourer who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr.William Nelson, (b. 1802), aged 17, Irish farm labourer who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Bencoolen" on 24th April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia before being transferred to Tasmania via the "Admiral Cockburn" 15
James Nelson, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
John Nelson, English convict from Worcester, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nelson 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:

Nelson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Lunn Nelson, (b. 1806), aged 35, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 17
Mrs. Nelson, (b. 1807), aged 34, British settler travelling from Gravesend with 5 children aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 17
Mr. Benjamin Nelson, (b. 1827), aged 14, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 17
John Nelson, aged 30, a sawyer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "New Zealand" in 1842
Ann Nelson, aged 34, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "New Zealand" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Nelson (post 1700) +

Russell Marion Nelson Sr. (1924-2025), American religious leader, the 17th and current president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)
Andrew Vaughan Nelson (1933-2025), American professional football player, safety in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants, owned and ran a small BBQ establishment, Andy Nelson's Barbecue
John Wilton Nelson (1941-2025), American conductor, born in Costa Rica, music director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (1976-1987)
Craig Richard Nelson (1947-2025), American actor in theater, film and television
Louis Nelson (1936-2024), American industrial designer and graphic artist, best known for designing the Mural Wall for the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington
Deborah Rae Nelson (1955-2024), mother of American rapper Marshall Bruce Mathers III known as Eminem, gained recognition for her autobiography My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem (2007)
Tyka Evene Nelson (1960-2024), American singer, daughter of jazz musician John L. Nelson (1916-2001) and jazz singer Mattie Della Shaw (1933-2002), and the sister of Prince (1958-2016)
John Byron Nelson Jr. (1912-2006), American PGA Tour golfer inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, considered one of the greatest golfers of all time
Paul Nelson (d. 2024), American Grammy award winning blues and rock guitarist, record producer and songwriter who played with Eric Clapton, Johnny Winters, Buddy Guy, and members of the Allman Brothers Band
... (Another 46 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Nelson family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Steven R Nelson (1950-1985), American Staff Sergeant from Clarksville, Tennessee, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 18
Mr. Kenneth J Nelson (1966-1985), American Private from Falconer, New York, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 19
Mr. Donald Craig Nelson (1954-1985), American Sergeant 1st Class from Hammond Hts, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 19
Mr. George Nelson (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19
Mr. Gustaf Nelson (d. 1914), Swedish Third Class Passenger from Gothenburg, Sweden who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
... (Another 17 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
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
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bencoolen
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html