Surname Nilson - Meaning and Origin
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Nilson: What does the surname Nilson mean?
The last name Nilson is an Old Norse patronymic surname that originated around the 11th century in Scandinavia and northern Germany. The name comes from the personal name Níll, which is itself derived from the Old Norse phrase níð-hauss, meaning “the descendant of the enemy.” Over time, Níll came to be used as a given name, and was common in Scandinavia and parts of northern Germany.
Nilson is largely a Swedish and Danish last name, but is also sometimes found in areas with a history of Scandinavian settlement, such as Finland and Estonia. It is also now found in the United States and other countries where Swedish and Danish immigrants have settled.
The Nilson name is often associated with hardworking and reliable individuals, as this was likely due to the meaningful use of the name, which highlighted those descended from chaotic enemies as warriors with a desire to bend chaos and use it to good. This could also lend to the quality of roughness and toughness that may sometimes be seen in those with the Nilson name.
Overall, the Nilson name is steeped in Scandinavian history and tradition, and is a reminder of ancestors gone by who demonstrated strength and reliability in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisNilson: Where does the name Nilson come from?
The last name Nilson has been documented around the world, but its highest concentrations are in Scandinavia. In Sweden, it is the 81st most common surname, with approximately 16,000 people carrying the name. In Norway, the Nilson surname is ranked 63rd, with around 4,400 individuals. It is also fairly common in Finland; the name is listed as the 100th most frequent surname for the country.
In the rest of Europe, Nilson is less common but still present in some areas. In Denmark, the surname appears at number 276, with about 1,400 people bearing the name. The Netherlands is home to about 900 Nilsons, placing it at 464th in the list of popular surnames. In Germany, the name is the 1,264th most common surname, while in Poland it is the 1,315th.
Outside of Europe, the Nilson last name is found in both North and South America, as well as in parts of Asia and Africa. In the United States, about 4,000 individuals bear the name, ranking it at 2,463rd place. In Canada, it is the 1,938th most common surname, with 2,800 people carrying the name. In the United Kingdom, it is the 4,957th most frequent surname, with about 1,000 people bearing the name.
In summary, the last name Nilson can be found in many parts of the world, but the name is particularly common in Scandinavia. It is also found in other European countries, as well as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Nilson
The Nilson surname can take many different variations and spellings, including Nilsson, Nilsson, Nilsen, Nilszon, and Nielsson.
The Nilson surname originated in Scandinavia, with dialectal variations originating from the Nordic languages of Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and Icelandic.
The surname Nilson is derived from the given name Nils, which is derived from the Biblical name Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people”. This personal name of Scandinavian origin was popular among Vikings, and was widely used in Scandinavia. Over time, it developed into different spellings and variants, each one reflecting the particular dialect in which it was spoken.
Variants of the Nilson surname may be spelled without the double s, as Nielson or Nielsen. This spelling is particularly common in Sweden. In Denmark and Norway, the most common spelling is Nilsen.
The suffix'son, which means “son of” is also used in some Scandinavian countries, creating additional variants such as Nilsson or Nielsson.
Variants of the Nilson surname are also found in other countries, where it has been adopted by non-Scandinavian speakers. These variants may differ in spelling, pronunciation and usage, depending on the language and culture in which they are spoken. Examples of these variants are Nilson in England, Neissen in Germany, and Nilshon in France.
Famous people with the name Nilson
- Harry Nilsson: Harry Nilsson was an American singer-songwriter of the late 1960s and 1970s, most famous for his hit single "Everybody's Talkin'". He released 12 studio albums, worked with famous writers including Randy Newman, and won two Grammy Awards.
- Sven Nilson: Sven Nilson was a Swedish physicist, astronomer, mathematician and military tactician. He wrote important works on magnetism, is credited with the discovery of the Ring Nebula, and is also remembered for his principles on naval tactics.
- Vicki Nilson: Vicki Nilson is an American film producer and screenwriter. She has worked on films including "The American President" and "Regarding Henry," and was part of the producing team for the/ "Ocean's Eleven" trilogy.
- Ingmar Nilson: Ingmar Nilson is an ice hockey player, currently playing professionally in the Swedish Hockey League for Färjestad BK. He was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
- Henrik Nilson: Henrik Nilson is a Swedish professional golfer, known for his 2004 performance at the Ryder Cup. He had a successful career in EuropeanProfessional Golf Association, appearing in the European Tour 11 times.
- Bjorn Nilson: Bjorn Nilson is a retired figure skater from Sweden. He is most well known for his long program at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer, which he placed fourth in.