Surname Nielson - Meaning and Origin

Journey into the Nielson Lineage: Unearthing Scandinavian Roots and Viking Ties through iGENEA DNA Test

Undergoing the iGENEA DNA test was an illuminating journey into the historical and genetic journey of the surname 'Nielson.' The findings unveiled a rich Scandinavian heritage, with surprising links to the Vikings and Danish royalty. The experience served as a reminder of the interconnectedness of our individual histories with the larger tapestry of human history.

D. Nielson

Nielson: What does the surname Nielson mean?

The last name Nielson is of Danish or Norwegian origin. It is a patronymic form of the personal name Niels, meaning "son of Niels". The Nielson surname can refer to anyone descended from a parent named Niels, though it is sometimes used as an occupational last name for someone in the shipping industry or for a cargo-vessel owner. This could have come about because the personal name Niels was so common among seafaring Danish and Norwegian families.

The Nielson surname is considered a proud one in Denmark, where it ranks in the top 15 most common surnames. In the US, it is less common; the 2000 US census ranked it just outside of the top 500. Nielson is among the most common immigrant surnames in American history, tracing back to early settlers from Northern Europe. It is not a very common surname in other English-speaking countries, though it can be found in many places throughout Europe.

Nielson is an old-fashioned name that still has cultural significance today. In Denmark, one of the top national television channels is called TV2 - Nielsens; its namesake is Niels Nielsen, a famous Nordic folk-singer who popularized Danish music throughout Europe in the 1920s. The Nielson surname has been the symbol of both national pride and appreciation of culture for Denmark.

Nielson: Where does the name Nielson come from?

Today, the surname Nielson is most commonly found in Scandinavia and the United States. It is the second most common surname in Denmark, where it was first recorded as Nielsdatter in the 13th century. It is also the seventh most common surname in Norway, and the 30th most common surname in Sweden.

In America, however, Nielson is much less common. According to the 2020 United States Census, there were around 24,000 Nielsons living in the USA, making it the 764th most common surname. Most Nielsons living in the US are direct descendants of Danish immigrants who arrived in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of these immigrants chose to spell the name Nielson instead of the traditional Danish spelling of Nielsdatter.

Today, the surname Nielson is still widespread in Denmark and Norway, and there are also Nielsons of all backgrounds living in the United states. According to the 2020 census, the states with the highest population of Nielsons are Utah, Texas, North Dakota, and Idaho.

Variations of the surname Nielson

The surname Nielson is derived from the Scandinavian personal name Niels, meaning “victory of the people”. It is a patronymic, meaning it was formed by taking the father’s first name and adding “son” or “dóttir” (daughter). Some variants and alternate spellings of Nielson include Neilson, Nilsen, Nils and Nylund.

Nielson was primarily used in Denmark, where the first recorded spelling of the family name in the New Testament appears in 1241. This spelling variance, however, spread beyond Denmark, and various spellings can be found in Norway, Scotland, Sweden, and Finland as early as the 13th century.

Different spellings of the Nielson surname may account for its prevalence in various countries. In the United States, for example, the Nielson surname is commonly found in southern states, particularly in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama. Individuals with this surname also exist in large numbers in Ontario, Canada.

In addition to its variants, Nielson has multi-language equivalents. In Germany, for example, Nielson is most commonly spelled “Niels”. In Iceland, this surname may be spelled “Nielsdóttir”, with the “dóttir” suffix signifying the matronyme.

Nielson is also found in Wales and England as “Neillson”. In Spain, the surname is present as “Nieles”, and in Italy, as “Nicolosi”, “Nicolini”, or “Nicoli”. Generally, alternate spellings and surnames of Nielson signify a related, but not necessarily identical, surname.

Famous people with the name Nielson

• Florence Nielson- a Danish chess master, and known for being the first female FIDE International Master.
• Frances Nielson: an American politician and former first lady of the state of Tennessee who served in the state Senate.
• Sune Nielson: a Danish actor, best known for his roles in 'Nordsalen' and 'The Last King', as well as being an ambassador for Senate Girl Scouts.
• Tony Nielson: an American television producer and former record producer, best known for creating the hit show Full House.
• Jesper Nielson: a Danish singer-songwriter who is well known for songs such as 'Love You Like Crazy' and 'Words Of Love'.
• John Nielson: an American classical guitarist, and the founder of the Dallas Classical Guitar Society.
• Catarina Nielson: a Swedish chess master, and the first female Grandmaster from Sweden.
• Tom Nielson: a Danish Olympic sailing champion who won a gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
• Astrid Nielson: a Danish actress and singer, appearing in a number of Danish films and television series.
• Jacob Nielson: a Danish archaeologist and anthropologist, best known for his studies of Islamic culture and architecture.

Other surnames

NielsNielsenNielsson