Nixon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Nixon

What does the name Nixon mean?

The roots of the Nixon family stretch back to the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands, who were the first to use their surname. It is derived from the personal name Nicholas, which was Nik, or Nikke in Old English and literally translates as “son of Nick.” 1

Early Origins of the Nixon family

The surname Nixon was first found in Cumberland, now known as Cumbria in the northern England, bordering the Scottish counties of Dumfriesshire and Roxburghshire to the north. “The name was common on both sides of the Border, perhaps most so in Bewcastle in Cumberland; but as early as 1376 we find a William Nycson occupying lands in the district of Ermyldoune in Liddesdale.” 2 William Nykson was one of the “borowis” for the Earl of Douglas’s bounds of the West March in 1398. 2

Across the border in England, we find: the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 including Henry Nix Oxfordshire; and William Nix, Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 includes entries for Margareta Nikeson; and William Nicson. 3

In Nottinghamshire, we find Robert Nikkesune in 1309 and the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332 lists John Nickeson as holding lands there at that time. 1

Nixon is numerous in Ulster, especially in Counties Antrim and Fermanagh. The most notable immigrant family of the name settled in Co. Fermanagh in 1609. 4