Nese History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Nese

What does the name Nese mean?

The story of the Nese family begins in ancient Scotland among the Pictish clans. The Nese family lived in any of a number of places called Ness, in Scotland and England. In this case, the surname Nese comes from the Old English word, ness, which means headland. Thus, the surname Nese means someone "from the headland." However, some references claim the name came from the Gaelic personal name Ness.

Early Origins of the Nese family

The surname Nese was first found in Fife, 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 Nese family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nese research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1093, 1153, 1160, 1180, 1260 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Nese History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nese Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Nese has appeared Ness, Nesse, Nessan, Neeson and others.

Early Notables of the Nese family

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

Migration of the Nese family to Ireland

Some of the Nese family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nese family

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Nese name: William Nesse, who arrived in Virginia in 1635; An Cath. Ness, who settled in New York in 1710; Michael Ness settled in Philadelphia in 1731; Matthias Ness, his wife and their six children, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1731.