The Nelson Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of Nelson, its origins in England, and the story behind a Nelson family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Nelson coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Nelson name
Nelson is a patronymic meaning "son of Nell", a medieval pet form of Neil, a name of Gaelic origin that came to northern England through Scandinavian settlers. It can also derive from Nell as a form of Eleanor. The name was strongest in Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and became very common in America.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Nelson name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Nelson name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Nelson family history
The complete Nelson pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
Nelson name FAQ
What does the Nelson name mean?
Son of Neil or Nell. Common variants include Neilson, Nelsen, Nilsen.
Where does the Nelson surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Nelson coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Nelson crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Nelson coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.