This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Nicholas,' from Nichol or Nicol, the nick.; v. Nicholas. Nichol always held a fair place in popular favour, as our directories of to-day amply prove. But Collin (which see) was probably the greater favourite.

William fil. Nicoll, Salop, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

John Nicole, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Stephen Nichole, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Alicia Nicholmayden and Robertus Nichol-man (i.e. the servant of Nichol), 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Nichol Gurdelere, Close Rolls, 21 Edward III. pt.

John Niccolson, temp. Elizabeth: Calendar of Pleadings, temp. Elizabeth I.

1562. Baptised — Joane Nichollsonne: St Peter, Cornhill.

1575. Thomas Nicolls, Middlesex: Register of the University of Oxford.

Nycall Spyght, 1602: Nicolson and Burn, History Westm. and Cumb.

1687. James Nickleson and Ann Goodman: Marriage Alleg. (Canterbury).

1707. Married — Robert Nicholls and Elizabeth Moye: St. Antholin (London).

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Nicholas.' This once popular fontname is the parent of a very large family; v. Cole, Collin, Nicklin, Nix, Nixon, &c. A large list of variants is given under Nicholes.

Nicholas le Hunte, Yorkshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

John fil. Nicholai, Salop, ibid.

1585. Humphrey Nicholas, Cambridgeshire: Register of the University of Oxford.

1703. Baptised — Elizabeth, d. John Nickless: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1730. — Robert, s. Thomas Nicholas: ibid.

Middle Latin Nicolas (from Gr. Νιχόλας) or late Latin Nicolaus, from Gr. Νιχόλαος;. The name came into mediaeval and modern use in honor of legendary S. Nicholas (Nicolaus), who is said to have lived in the fourth century. Nicholaus medicus Willelmi regis, 1201-07 (RAA., I, p. 27).

'son of Nic(h)ol,' q v. Maucolum fiz Nicol rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II, 816). William Nicholai (Latin genitive) or Nycholayi was burgess of Glasgow 1419-21 (LCD., p. 241), Gilbert Nicholai was vicar of Auferde (Alford) in 1435 (REB., II, 52), and Patrick Nicholai, presbyter of Brechin, 1436, appears in 1448 as Patrik Nicholsone, perpetual chaplain of Caldhame (ibid., I, 82,106). Michael Nycholson leased pert of Parcy (Persie), 1443, and Gylbryd Nycholay in 1446 (Cupar-Angus, I, p. 120,128), Matthew Nicholay, witness in Aberdeen, 1489 (REA., II, p. 303), and John Nicholsoun was burgess of Dumfries, 1544 (Anderson). Ailleis Neclasson had remission in 1547 for his share in taking and holding the Casde of Akirgill, Caithness (OPS., II, p. 778), and Mallie Niclasson is recorded in the Boigis, 1663 (Caithness). The Nicolsons of Lasswade are an old family, knighted in seventeenth century. Sir William Nicolson (d. 1766), four times married, was father of twenty-three children. The Nicholsons of Skye have Englished their name from Macnicol, which see. Necolson 1474, Nicollsoun 1624, Nucolsone 1655, Nycholsoun 1483.

For Nicols, q.v.

(English) Descendant of Nickel (people's victory).

The Christian name. Hence the derivatives Nichol, Nicholls, Nicholson, Nicholay, Nix, Nicks, Nickson, Nixon, Nickels, Nicol, Nickoll, Nickerson, Nickisson, Nickinson.

The son of Nicholas. Most families of this name trace to the counties of Northumberland and Cumberland. It is not improbable that they are descended from the great Anglo-Norman family of Fitz-Nigell or Nicholl. See Nicholl.

Nicholson. —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. It is noticeable that Nixon, a contraction of this name, is also restricted to the northern half of England, being most numerous in Cheshire and Northumberland. From the north of England the Nicholsons and Nicolsons have extended into the Scottish border counties, especially into Dumfriesshire.