Show ContentsNicholson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Nicholson Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Nicholson

What does the name Nicholson mean?

The Nicholson surname comes from the German personal name Nikolaus.

Early Origins of the Nicholson family

The surname Nicholson was first found in Austria, where the family rose to prominence early in the mediaeval era. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. The name refers to St. Nickolaus, the patron saint of seafaring merchants and the protector of children.

Early History of the Nicholson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nicholson research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1582, 1664, 1717, 1745, 1756, 1761, 1766 and 1787 are included under the topic Early Nicholson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nicholson Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Nicholson include Nickel, Nikel, Nickl, Nickle, Nickele, Nickels, Nickelsen, Nickelson, Nicol, Nicols, Nicolsen, Nicolson, Nichol, Nicholl, Nichols, Nicholls, Nicholson, Nichaelsen, Nickells, Nickell, Nichelmann, Nickelmann, Nichelman and many more.

Early Notables of the Nicholson family

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nicholson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nicholson World Ranking

the United States, the name Nicholson is the 522nd most popular surname with an estimated 54,714 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Nicholson is ranked the 386th most popular surname with an estimated 12,090 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Nicholson is the 248th popular surname with an estimated 14,006 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Nicholson as 202nd with 2,748 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Nicholson as 184th with 29,999 people. 5

Nicholson migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Nicholson were

Nicholson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Garret Nicholson, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • Elizabeth Nicholson, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 7
  • Garret Nicholson, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 7
  • Mr. Garret Nicholson, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Constance" arriving in Virginia in 1635 8
  • Eliz Nicholson, who landed in Virginia in 1637 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nicholson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Richard Nicholson, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 7
  • Peter Nicholson, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 7
  • William Nicholson, who arrived in Maryland in 1720 7
  • George, Nicholson Jr., who arrived in Virginia in 1724 7
  • Geo Nicholson, who landed in Virginia in 1724 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nicholson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Patrick Nicholson, who landed in America in 1808 7
  • Duncan Nicholson, who arrived in North Carolina in 1809 7
  • Christopher Nicholson, aged 31, who arrived in Maryland in 1812 7
  • J M Nicholson, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
  • S Nicholson, aged 26, who arrived in North Carolina in 1812 7
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nicholson migration to Canada +

Nicholson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Nicholson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Mr. James Nicholson U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Penobscot Association 9
  • Mr. John Nicholson U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 9
  • Mr. Robert Nicholson U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 9
  • Mr. Robert Nicholson U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nicholson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Nicholson, aged 35, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Samuel" from Liverpool, England
  • Robert Nicholson, aged 30, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Samuel" from Liverpool, England
  • Mr. Richard Nicholson, aged 40 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Manchester" departing 5th June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 17th July 1847 but he died on board 10
  • Dond Nicholson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1848
  • A Nicholson, who arrived in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Nicholson Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • F Nicholson, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Nicholson migration to Australia +

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

Second Fleet
  • Mr. John Nicholson, British settler convicted in London, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 6
  • Mr. Thomas Nicholson, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in Cumberland, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791, may have died on the ship 7
Following the Second Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Nicholson Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Miss Alice Nicholson, (nèe Stewart), (b. 1770), aged 28, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1827 11
Nicholson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Nicholson, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Mr. Richard Nicholson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
  • Mr. Robert Nicholson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
  • Mr. Henry Nicholson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Miss Elizabeth Nicholson, (b. 1799), aged 27, Irish house servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 3rd October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Nicholson 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:

Nicholson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • E. Nicholson, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Brougham" in 1842
  • Rev. Thomas Dickson Nicholson, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on 23rd March 1848, en-route to Nelson 16
  • Mrs. Alison Nicholson, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on 23rd March 1848, en-route to Nelson 16
  • Miss Catherine Ria Nicholson, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on 23rd March 1848, en-route to Nelson 16
  • Miss Janet Nicholson, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "John Wickliffe" arriving in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on 23rd March 1848, en-route to Nelson 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Nicholson (post 1700) +

  • John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (b. 1937), three-time Academy Award winning American actor, film director and producer
  • David Lawrence Nicholson (1939-2023), American Major League Baseball baseball outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles (1960 and 1962), Chicago White Sox (1963–1965), Houston Astros (1966) and Atlanta Braves (1967)
  • Robert James "Jim" Nicholson (b. 1938), American Secretary of Veterans Affairs from January 2005 to October 2007
  • James Joseph Nicholson (1943-2025), Northern Irish footballer, played as a midfielder, played most of his career at Huddersfield Town and earned more than 40 caps for the Northern Ireland national team
  • Russ Nicholson (d. 2023), British illustrator, best known for his black and white fantasy art
  • Mavis Nicholson (1930-2022), Welsh writer and radio and television broadcaster from Briton Ferry, Neath, Glamorgan
  • Ms. Lindsay Nicholson M.B.E., British Editor for Good Housekeeping, appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Journalism and Equal Opportunities 17
  • Mrs. Wendy Jane Nicholson M.B.E., British National Lead Nurse for Children, Young People and Families for Public Health England, appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Nursing for Children and Young People 18
  • John Nicholson (1941-2017), New Zealand racing driver from Auckland
  • ... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Miss Christine Margaret Nicholson (1953-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 19
  • Mr. Robert Wesley Nicholson (1905-1941), Australian Warrant Electrician from Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 20
  • John Edward Nicholson, British Sub Lieutenant (E) aboard the HMS Cornwall (1942) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 21
  • Mr. Thomas W Nicholson (b. 1916), English Cook serving for the Royal Navy from Gateshead, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 22
  • Mr. Alfred F Nicholson (b. 1912), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Alverstoke, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 23
  • ... (Another 11 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  5. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  6. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  7. 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)
  8. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  9. 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
  10. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 91)
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 4 July 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
  18. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
  19. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  20. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  21. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  22. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm

Houseofnames.com on Facebook