(1) This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Eleanor,' from nick. Nell, (a) Bapt. 'the son of Neil.' There can be no doubt that both Eleanor and Neil are parents of Nelson; v. Neil. There are many instances in the Hundred Rolls.

Nel Fawkes, Cambridgeshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

John fil. Nel, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Adam Nel, Oxfordshire, ibid.

William Neleson. Rolls of Parliament.

Thomas Nelson, or Neilson, Yorkshire: Corpus Christi Guild (Surtees Society).

Thomas Nellson, 1379: Poll Tax of Howdenshire.

1554. Buried — Mother Nelson: Reg. Kensington Parish.

1687. Henry Nelson (Hertfordshire) and Sarah Raby (Cambridgeshire): Marriage Alleg. (Canterbury).

1740. Buried — James Nelson, in the Vault: St. Peter, Cornhill.

Although we now spell the nick. Nell, as in 'Little Nell,' nevertheless Nel has been the prevailing form through all the last six centuries.

'son of Neil,' which see. There were at least two families of this name of independent origin-Neilson of Craigcaffie, Ayrshire, and Neilson of Caithness. (1) The Neilsons of Craigcaffie are said to have traced their descent from Neil, earl of Carrick, husband of Margaret Stewart, who died in 1256. Instead of the usual Gaelic prefix mac they added the word son to Neil, hence Neilson (M'Kerlie. I, p. 136; Agnew, I, p. 83). Sometime after 1314 the lands of Craigcaffie were granted by royal charter to John, son of Neil Carrick, who took the name of Neilson as his patronymic (Dumfries and Galloway Nat. Hist, & Ant. Soc., Trans., 3. ser. XVII, p. 184). John filius Nigelli appears in Berwickshire in reign of Robert I (RMS., I, 18), and Nigellus Nelsoun had charter of the lands of Cragcathy from James 111 in 1474 (M'Kerlie, I, p. 136). Neilsons in the reign of James v are said to have been at that time hereditary crowners of Bute for two hundred years (Dobie, Pont, p. 225). Craigcaffie was erected into a barony in the sixteenth century and remained in possession of the family till well on into the eighteenth. Morys Neelsoun had a safe conduct into England in 1424, and Henry Nelsone, merchant in Edinbergh, is recorded in 1438 (Blair, IV, 964, 1115). John Neilsone witnessed promulgation of a papal bull at Linlithgow, 1461 (Soltre, p. 63), another John Neylsone was tenant under the bishop of Glasgow, 1510 (Rental). Andrew Neleson was 'dekin of baxsteris' in Stirling, 1546 (SBR., p. 277), and John Neilsoun was a baker in Glasgow, 1554 (Protocols, I). Gilbert Neilsoun appears in Meikfas, 1607 (Retours, Kirkcudbright, 76), and John Nilsoune of Corsock was retoured heir of Robert Neilsoune of Corsock, his father, 1654 (ibid., 263). John Nilsone in Tinwald was examined for the Test, 1685 (RPC., 3. ser. XI, p. 434), and Jean Nilson is recorded in parish of Tuynhame, 1684 (ibid., IX, p. 473). (2) Nele Nelsoun had grant of lands in Creich, Gerloch, and others in the sheriffdom of Innrnmys in 1429 for his homage and service in the captere of his brother, Thomas Nelesoun, a rebel (OPS., IX, p. 686). William Allan Neilson (b. 1869), president-emeritus of Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, was born in Doune, Perthshire. Neillsone 1706, Neilstoun 1707, Neylsone 1558, Nylson 1555; Nelsonne.

Niel’s Son: v. Niel, Neil.

The son of Neil.

The son of Nigel. A Norman personal name.

The son of Neil.

The son of Neil or Nel.

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 aw ancient family, a branch of which held lands in Mawdesley as far back as the reign of Richard II. Nelson is a Lancashire town. Richard Nelson was mayor of Lancaster in 1512 (H. L.).