Surname Nickolson - Meaning and Origin

Nickolson: What does the surname Nickolson mean?

The last name Nickolson is of English and Scottish origin and derives from the given name Nicholas. Historically, ‘son’ would be added to the father’s given name to form a surname, which is why the common surname Nicholson (with an ‘l’) is often associated with Nicholas.

Nicholson is a patronymic name, meaning the original bearer of the Nicholson name was a person who was the son of someone called Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas itself is derived from either the Greek name Nikolaos or the Hebrew name Nechama, both of which mean "victory of the people".

Nickolson (with one ‘l’) is a variant spelling of Nicholson, typically associated with Scottish and Northern English families who moved to America in the 19th century. It is likely that over time the ‘l’ was dropped from the spelling of the name.

Over time, various branches of the Nicholson family have established themselves in England, Scotland, and Europe, and today this name is common in many areas around the world. Notable people with the surname Nickolson include the Scottish poet and scholar William Nicholson (1796-1872) and the American actor Jack Nicholson (born 1937).

Nickolson: Where does the name Nickolson come from?

The last name Nickolson is most commonly found in English-speaking countries. It is a relatively rare surname, but is especially concentrated in the United States. In both the United States and Great Britain, the origins of Nickolson date back to Scotland.

In the United States, Nickolson is most frequent in the states of Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana. Georgia is home to the highest concentration of people with this last name, with the city of Stone Mountain having the most. Around the world, Nickolson is also popular in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Family with the last name Nickolson may have originated as the son of Nicholson, which was an occupational surname. Over time, this Scottish surname has evolved into its current form. Those with the last name may have roots in Brigg, Scotland, from around the year 1400.

People today with the last name Nickolson are connected by history, tradition, and a shared experience in various parts of the world. Although it is a relatively rare name, knowing its origins can help bring those with the last name together.

Variations of the surname Nickolson

Variants, Spellings and Surnames for the surname Nickolson can include: MacNicholson, Nicholson, Nickleson, Nickles, Nicklis, Nicleson, Nicles, and Nicolson.

MacNicholson is derived from the patronymeic or matronymic name derived from the Gaelic form MacNicol, which means son of Nicol. The patronymeic name was later anglicised to Nicholson, and then Nickolson as the original Gaelic form was forgotten.

Nicholson is derived directly from Nicol or Nicholas, which is a form of the Greek name “Nikolaos.” This form of the surname was most likely created through a nickname.

Nickleson, Nickles, Nicklis, Nicleson, Nicles and Nicolson all vary in spelling, but are still related to the original surname of Nicholson, and all come from the Greek nikolaos.

People bearing the surname Nickolson can also be found in Scandinavian countries, as well as in Scotland, where it originated, as well as in various parts of England, Ireland and the United States.

Nickolson is also a variant of the more popular surname Nichols, which can be derived from a spelling variation of the same Greek name.

Overall, the surname Nickolson is a variation on the more popular Nicholson or Nichols, which can trace their roots back to the Greek name Nikolaos. People bearing the surname can be found all over the world, from Scandinavian countries, to Scotland, Ireland, England and the United States.

Famous people with the name Nickolson

• Jack Nicholson: Jack Nicholson is an American actor, director, and producer who has achieved multiple acting awards, including multiple Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
• Zackenya Nicholson: Zackenya Nicholson is a professional tennis player from South Africa who has achieved multiple ITF singles and doubles titles.
• Jamie Nicholson: Jamie Nicholson is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Omer in the comedy film Superhero Movie (2008) and as Pete in the horror-comedy series Van Helsing (2016-2018).
• Anne Nicholson: Anne Nicholson is an American executive and businesswoman who is the CEO of Lightstep and an executive partner at Scale Venture Partners.
• Dave Nicholson: Dave Nicholson is a British actor known for his roles in shows such as Shameless and The Bill.
• Sherry Nicholson: Sherry Nicholson is an American actress, voice-over artist, and make-up artist known for her roles in television commercials.
• Sean Nicholson: Sean Nicholson is an American film editor, best known for editing the films Coach Carter and Freedom Writers.
• Matilda Nicholson: Matilda Nicholson is an Australian singer-songwriter and YouTube star with over 80 million views.
• Charlene Nicholson: Charlene Nicholson is an American photographer best known for her work in magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar.
• Melissa Nicholson: Melissa Nicholson is an American actress, best known for her role in the television series Private Practice.

Other surnames

Nickols