What does the surname Nielson mean?

The surname Nielson means "Son of Niel, an alternate form of Niels (Nicholas).". It is of Scandinavian origin.

How common is the Nielson surname?

There are approximately 150,000 people with the surname Nielson in the United States.

Are there Nielson soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 86 soldiers with the Nielson surname appear in Civil War records.

Nielson

Patronymic

Meaning

Son of Niel, an alternate form of Niels (Nicholas).

Etymology

Nielson is a variant spelling of Nielsen, using 'Niel' instead of 'Niels' combined with the patronymic '-son' suffix. This spelling variant became more common in English-speaking countries and North America.

About the Nielson Surname

Nielson is an English-language variant of the Scandinavian Nielsen surname. It became more prevalent in North America as Scandinavian immigrants anglicized their surnames.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 150,000 bearers in the United States #287 most common surname

Rare Common

Found in Scandinavia and particularly common among Scandinavian immigrants in the United States and Canada.

Nielson Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Nielson Surname

Roger Nielson

Danish Legation

Quick Facts

Origin: Scandinavian
Classification: Patronymic
Earliest Record: Medieval Scandinavia
Estimated Bearers: 150,000

War Records

86 soldiers with the Nielson surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →