Nicholson

Nicholson is a surname of English origin. It is a patronymic name meaning “son of Nicholas,” with Nicholas itself derived from the Latin Nicolaus and the Greek Nikolaos. The form Nicholson has appeared in England since the Middle Ages and spread to other English-speaking regions through migration and settlement.

Today the surname Nicholson is found across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States, among other countries. It is borne by people in a wide range of professions and has appeared in literature, media, and public life as both a surname and a geographic used name.

Notable bearers include the American actor Jack Nicholson (born 1937), whose long and acclaimed career has made the name widely recognizable in cinema. Beyond individuals, Nicholson is also used as a place name in various countries, referring to towns or communities named Nicholson in regions such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Variants and related spellings exist, including Nicolson, which appears in Scotland and elsewhere. The name Nicholson has several historical spellings and a broad geographic distribution, reflecting its medieval roots and subsequent spread through English-speaking populations. See also Nicolson for a closely related surname form.