Neilson Family Tree research resources
Research the background of the Neilson Genealogy using the resources below. We hope you find these sites useful whilst you are researching your Genealogy !
 | Did you know that in the 1881 UK census there were 4221 people with the Neilson surname? In that year Neilson was ranked number 1006 for popularity in the UK. |
"The son of Neil. "(The origin and signification of Scottish surnames. Clifford Stanley Sims, 1862)
Neilson records on Ancestry
Ancestry is a major source of information if you are filling out your Neilson family tree. A vast range of data is available to search ranging from census records, births, deaths and marriages, military records and immigration records to name but a few. Free trials are normally available and are a good way to fill out a lot of your tree quickly.
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Ancestry.com Global records search results for the Neilson family. |
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Ancestry.com US records search results for the Neilson family. |
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Ancestry.co.uk UK records search results for the Neilson family. |
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Ancestry.ca Canadian records search results for the Neilson family. |
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Ancestry.com.au Australian records search results for the Neilson family. |
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Historical References
"NEILSON, NIELSON, NILSON, 'son of NEIL,' q.v. 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. 6- Ant. Soc., Trans., 3. ser. xvn, 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 m 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 Edinburgh, is recorded in 1438 (Bain, rv, 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 (RFC., 3. ser. xi, p. 434), and Jean Nilson is recorded in parish of Tuynhame, 1684 (ibid., rx, p. 473). (2) Nele Nelsoun had grant of lands in Creich, Gerloch, and others in the sheriffdom of Innernys in 1429 for his homage and service in the capture of his brother, Thomas Nelesoun, a rebel (OPS., n, 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. "(The surnames of Scotland. George Fraser Black, 1866-1948)
DNA
Sometimes you can run into a brick wall in your tree and you just don't have enough evidence to make that next step back in time. If you are lucky then you may find some previously undiscovered Neilson ancestors. Additionally, the modern DNA test can give you a breakdown of your ethnic mix - you may be surprised at the results!
Have you reached a brick wall in your Neilson Tree?
Visit our Neilson DNA page to find out more.
Birth, Death and Marriage Records for the Neilson Family Tree
Birth, Death and Marriage records are often the best method of making the links to the Neilson Genealogy that will form part of your family tree. Although records vary from country to country, they are normally the most formal record of a person's relations. From the sources listed below it will be possible to locate a birth record and, from that record, a birth certificate may be obtainable which is likely to list the names of the parents, therefore taking you back another generation. A marriage certificate may also list the names of the respective fathers of the bride and groom which may then help you to find them earlier in life on a census record enabling you to fill out more detail in the Neilson family tree.
Investigate Neilson Parish Records at Find My Past.
Look at the UK registered births, marriages and deaths for the Neilson family name using the FreeBMD database.
Look at Genealogy Bank for Neilson family records.
Search MyHeritage for Neilson family data.
Check out the LDS Database for records of the Neilson family.
Research the Neilson surname using fold3 Military Archives and view images of original Neilson Military records.
| Did you know that there are currently 4148 people with the Neilson surname in the UK? Neilson is now ranked number 1402 for popularity in the UK. |
Neilson Genealogy Databases
Check out WikiTree for user contributed Neilson family records. Collaboration is encouraged so that accuracy of Neilson data can be verified or corrected by other users.
Investigate MyTrees for information on the Neilson family and people looking to contact living Neilson relations.
Study GENi for Neilson family records.
Find your Irish Neilson relatives on findmypast.ie
Neilson Forums
Research the Neilson surname using Genealogy.com forums .
| Did you know that there are currently 6076 people with the Neilson surname in the USA? Neilson is ranked number 155 for popularity in the USA. |
Miscellaneous Neilson Databases
Look at the Ellis Island Database for information on the Neilson family. This database contains over 25 million immigration records detailing passengers arriving in the United States of America.
Use the Surname Map project to look at the current distribution of the Neilson surname in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Romania.
Ask a Question
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