The Anglo-Saxon name Nycaelson comes from the personal name Nicholas. The Latin form of this name was Nicolaus, and it was derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, which is derived from the words nikan, which means to conquer, and laos, which means people. [1] However, the name is best remembered by an American corruption of his name: Santa Claus. The surname Nycaelson uses the patronymic suffix -son.
The surname Nycaelson was first found in Cumberland and Northumberland where "most families of this name trace." [2]
"With few exceptions confined to the northern half of England, being most frequent in Cumberland and Northumberland, and afterwards in Durham and in the adjacent parts of Yorkshire. From the north of England the Nicholsons and Nicolsons have extended into the Scottish border counties, especially into Dumfriesshire." [3]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nycaelson research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1296, 1443, 1446, 1489, 1544, 1547, 1663, 1669, 1688, 1683, 1688, 1655, 1728, 1694, 1698, 1712, 1714, 1720, 1725 and are included under the topic Early Nycaelson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Nycaelson were recorded, including Nicholson, Nichaelson, Nichalson, Nicherson and others.
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nycaelson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Nycaelson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Nycaelson family emigrate to North America: Garret Nicholson, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Alex Nicholson, who settled in Virginia in 1650; as well as George, Jane, John, Phillip Nicholson also settled in Virginia.