Nelson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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.

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 (pre 1700)

Notables of the family at this time include 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).

Nelson World Ranking

In 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^ndmost 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.

 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 [10]
• George Nelson, aged 19, who settled in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship “Francis Bonaventure”, found in Jamestown [10]
• Miche Nelson, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1627 [10]
• Joseph Nelson, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship “Plain Joan” [10]