Nicolson
Gaelic Name: MacNeacai
Clan Crest: A lion issuant Or armed and langued Gules
Clan Motto: Generositate (By generosity)
Origin of Name: Son of Nicol
Clan Badge: Sprig of juniper
Clan Chief: The Rt. Hon. Lord Carnock
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Nicolson Clan History
In modern Gaelic, the name of this clan is MacNeacail, while in English, the name is MacNicol or Nicolson, depending on location.
According to legend, one branch of the family originated in the lands between Assynt and Durness on Scotland's north coast. Another tradition tells of an equally ancient past in the Hebrides, where the Nicolsons were the main tenants of the lands of Scorrybreac on Skye. It is said that "MacNicol of Portree" was one of the sixteen men who made up the famous Lord of the Isles council. According to local legend, over a hundred chiefs of the clan were borne to their final resting place from the old house of Scorrybreac.
Norman Nicolson of Scorrybreac, the clan's last resident on Skye, emigrated to New Zealand. His line continues in Australia, where the current chief of the West Highland Nicolsons owns the Scorrybreck sheep station.
The surname Nicolson can be found all over Scotland, with MacNicols being particularly common in Argyll. There are even cases where the surname Nicolson has roots in Tyneside and Yorkshire.
Many members of the Nicolson family became well-known for their literary endeavors, with Alexander Nicolson publishing the well-known "History of Skye" as the most famous.
Nicolson Places & People
Clan Nicolson Individuals
Nicolson, James (d.1607)
James Nicolson was elected Moderator of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly. In 1606 he was also Bishop of Dunkeld.
Nicolson, Alexander (b. 1827)
Alexander Nicolson compiled a book of Gaelic proverbs that is regarded as a treasure trove of ancient wit and manners.
Mr. Arthur Nicolson
Arthur Nicolson began his diplomatic career, serving in Peking, Berlin, Constantinople, and Tangier. From 1906 to 1910, he was the ambassador to the Imperial Court in St. Petersburg. He received numerous awards, including the Grand Cross of the French Legion of Honor.
Nicolson Tartans
Nicolson the Elder
Nicolson Contemporary
Nicolson's Ancient Hunt
Weathered Nicolson Hunting
Nicolson Crest & Coats of Arms
Clan Nicolson Crest:
A lion issuant Or, armed and langued is the description of the crest. Gules
Coats of Arms of Nicholson
A word about Coats of Arms:
A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.
Baron of Balvenie Hammond Burke Nicholson of Balvenie
Arms: Per chevron Or and Azure, two hawks' heads erased Gules in chief and a mullet Or in base, all within a Gules bordure.
Crest: A three-masted ship in full sail Proper; pennons Gules and the National Flag of Scotland (viz. Azure a saltire Argent) at the stern.
GOAL: SEEK ON
A rose sprig with three roses Gules, barbed Sable seeded is the badge. Alternatively, the leaves and stalk Proper
Matriculations: Lord Lyon's Court, September 20, 1988. Lyon Register, volume 70, folio 52, and then on September 25, 1995, in volume 78, folio 51.
Sydney University's Sir Charles Nicholson Coat of Arms
Sir Charles Nicholson's coat of arms and carved initials on the front of the Great Hall. University of Sydney
CLUNIE NICOLSON
Alternatively, three eagles' heads erased Gules. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.
1673
THE ILK OF NICHOLSON
Or, three falcon heads erased Gules, armed Argent. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.
1676 Stacy
CARNOCK STEWART-NICOLSON
Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Or a fess chequy Azure and Argent surmounted of a lion rampant gules, 2nd, Or a chevron chequy Sable and Argent between three martlets of the second, 3rd, Or three falcons' heads erased Gules beaked Sable within an Azure bordure.
The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul.
1st Matriculation 1792
CARNOCK STEWART-NICOLSON
Alternatively, the heads of three falcons could be obliterated. Gules beaked Sable within an Azure bordure.
Paul's Scottish Ordinary by James Balfour.
Second Matriculation 1807
THE NICOLSONS OF LOCHEND
Zetland
Or, three falcon heads erased Gules, armed Argent. Scottish Sir James Balfour Paul
Ordinary.
1826
1) CARNOCK NICOLSON
2) The Right Honourable Sir Arthur NICOLSON OF CARNOCK Bt
Or a lion's head erased Gules between three falcons' heads bordured Azure.
1) Lord James
Scottish Ordinary by Balfour Paul - 1901
2)An Ordinary of Arms Vol. II, 1902-1973
19/34 June 29th, 1907
Mr. Francis NICHOLSON
A triangular castle in azure On a chief of Argent masoned Sable windows and portcullis Gules
The wings of the second three Laverocks were properly endorsed. Volume II of An Ordinary of Arms
1902-1973
9th of July, 1904, 18/3
NICHOLSON, Norman Alexander
Tasmania
Gules was erased by a chevron between three hawks' heads. Volume II of An Ordinary of Arms
1902-1973
31/21 July 9th, 1934
1) NICOLSON, John William
2) NICOLSON, Iain Colin
Alternatively, a chevron with three falcon heads erased Gules, a bordure engrailed of the second charged with eight plates and a bull's head cabossed Sable in a dexter canton. A regular of
Volume II of Arms, 1902-1973
1) July 16, 1958 42/118
2) October 31, 1967 51/22
NICHOLSON, William Douglas Marshall
Gules three suns Or on a pale Ermine between two roses Argent barbed and seeded proper.
Volume II of An Ordinary of Arms, 1902-1973
3rd August 1961 46/20 matriculated
2) 1979-1980 Armorial Who Is Who
College of Arms: granted in 1960
NICOLSON, Hubert Hubert
Or on an ermine chevron between two hawks' heads erased Gules in chief and a dragon ship Sable under sail proper a boar's head erased Sable tusked Or accompanied by two crescents also Sable in base. Volume II of the Ordinary of Arms, 1902-1973
February 13th, 1969 52/21
Stevenson, John NICHOLSON
Or a chevron nebuly between two hawks' heads erased in chief and a cross crosslet fitchee in base. Gules, a chequy bordure of the first and second. Volume II of An Ordinary of Arms
1902-1973
57/23 August 2nd, 1972
DOUGLAS NICHOLSON
Two hawks' heads erased Gules per chevron Or and Azure, and a mullet Or in base.
The Lyon Court
May 30th, 1988 (volume 71, folio 69)
Grandfather of Hammond Burke Nicholson
NICHOLS, Hammond Burke
Balvenie, Baron
(1917-2007)
Two hawks' heads erased Gules per chevron Or and Azure, and a mullet Or in base, all within a bordure Gules. The Lyon Court
Lyon Register, volume 70, folio 52, 20th September 1988.
Second Matriculation, September 25, 1995, volume 78, folio 51.
GARY NICHOLSON
Twickenham, county Middlesex Or a fesse wavy Azure between four lions' gambs issuing from each corner of a Gules escutcheon on a chief of the second a vessel of the first between two bezants. The Middlesex Pedigrees of the Harleian Society
Benjamyn NICHOLSON is a model.
of Surrey's Bromley Quarterly, first and fourth Ermine on a pale Sable three martlets Argent, second and third Gules a chevron cotised between three trefoils slipped Visitations of Surrey 1530, 1572, and 1623 by the Harleian Society
1) NICOLSON, Otho
Examiner in the Chancery Court
2) NICOLSON, Francis
of Chapell, co. Essex Azure two bars ermine in chief Argent three suns in splendour Or. 1a) Grantees of Arms to the End of the XVII Century, Harleian Society
September 7th, 1596
1b) The General Armory of Burke
2) The Visitation of Essex 1634 by the Harleian Society
Sir Humphrey NICHOLSON is a British politician.
Merchant
2) NICHOLSON, John Hampden
1) Harleian Society's London Visitation Pedigrees 1664, of Balrath Burry Ermine on a pale Sable three martlets Argent
2) Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland, published in 1899
STEVE NICHOLSON
Roundhay Park, Yorkshire On a chief Azure, a cross patee Argent between two suns in splendour, six Erminois and Gules. Burke's Commoners of the United Kingdom and Ireland - 1836/8
Nicholson, William STEELE-NICHOLSON
Ballow is a county in Ireland. Down Quarterly, the first and fourth Gules two bars Ermine in chief three suns Or (for Nicholson), the second and third Argent a bend counter-compony Or and Sable between two lions' heads erased Gules on a chief Azure three billets Or (for Steele). Burke's Commoners of the United Kingdom and Ireland - 1836/8
Mr. Alexander NICHOLSON
Gloucestershire's East Court First and fourth quarters Or on a chevron embattled Azure between three eagles' heads erased Gules an Eastern crown between two wreaths of laurel of the first (for Nicholson) 2nd & 3rd Gules two estoiles in chief Argent and a lion passant in base Or on a chief of the second two swords saltier proper pommels and hilts Or the blades encircled by a wreath of laurel Vert 1847 Burke's Landed Gentry
Mr Nicholson took the surname Nicholson instead of his patronymic M'Innes by sign-manual in December 1821, out of respect for his maternal uncle.
NICHOLSON, Peter
Cheshire's Thelwall Quarterly, the first and fourth barry wavy of six Argent and Azure a crescent Or (for Nicholson), and the second and third barry wavy of six Argent and Azure a crescent Or (for Seaman).
1847 Burke's Landed Gentry
1) Lord Charles NICHOLSON
Sydeney and Luddenham in New South Wales
2) Baron Sir Charles Archibald NICHOLSON
Luddenham in New South Wales Azure two bars nebuly Argent a sun in splendour proper between two eight-pointed stars Alternatively, 1) Burke's Peerage 1881
2) Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage of Debrett, 1923
Sir John Norris.
Harrington Gardens' NICHOLSON Bt
The 2nd Baronet
2) Charles Christian, Sir
Harrington Gardens' NICHOLSON Bt
Third Baronet
Two bars Argent guttee de poix in chief two suns in splendour proper per pale nebuly Azure and Gules. Debretts, Perrage, and Baronetage, 1990
2) Who's Who in America 2004
Lord Godfrey
Bt. NICHOLSON
First Baronet
Two bars geme ermine in chief three suns in splendour Or, per pale Azure and Gules.
Debretts Perrage & Baronetage was founded in 1990.
Taransay's Aeofric Lachlan Bryan NICOLSON
An eagle displayed in gules Or, armed beaked and membered Azure, holding a star of eight points Argent in the dexter and sinister talons, ensigned behind the head of the eagle a star of eight points of the Last, within a bordure company of the Third and Fourth thereon are charged sixteen thistles palewise of the Third and Fourth counterchanged. 1993 College of Arms
Aeofric Lachlan is a surname. Taransay's Bryan Nicolson
Gules, an eagle displayed Or, armed beaked and membered Azure, holding a star of eight points Argent in the dexter and sinister talons, ensigned behind the head of the eagle a star of eight points of the Last, within a bordure company of the Third and Fourth thereon are charged sixteen thistles palewise of the Third and Fourth counterchanged.
Crest: A Red Kite guardant Proper, wings elevated and addorsed, belled Or jessed Gules, holding in the dexter talons a sprig of thistles Proper, a star of eight points Argent ensigned behind the head of the Red Kite (and slightly to the dexter).
The Red Kite Proper, holding in the sinister talons a star of eight points Argent, from the topmast a streamer flying to the sinister per of the second and Or, flying from the forecastle a flag of the second and from the sterncastle a flag of the fourth, is placed on the mast of a Lymphad roped Sable, oars in action Gules, sails furled of the second.
Mottoes: NIL SISTERE CONTRA above the crest, GENEROSITATE above the shield, and AN SPEIREAG DEARG below the shield.
July 1993, The College of Arms, London.
By ScotsTee
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