Nicolson

Nicolson is a surname of English and Scottish origin, a spelling variant of Nicholson. It is a patronymic name meaning “son of Nicol (Nicholas).” The Nicolson spelling has historical associations with Scotland and northern England, and it appears in various family lineages across the British Isles.

In historical records, Nicolson is found among Scottish and northern English families, sometimes linked to branches that settled in coastal or border regions. The name is closely related to Nicholson, and both spellings reflect similar patronymic origins.

Notable people with the surname Nicolson include Harold Nicolson (1886–1968), a British diplomat, author, and diarist who contributed to literary and biographical writing and was part of a prominent literary family. His son, Nigel Nicolson (1919–2004), was a English writer, publisher, and politician, known for his work in literature and for editing and publishing material related to his family. Adam Nicolson (born 1946) is a British author and journalist recognized for historical and nature writing, continuing the family’s literary tradition.

The Nicolson surname is sometimes confused with Nicholson, a more common variant in many regions. See also Nicholson and Nicolson as related spellings. While primarily a family name, Nicolson also appears in place names and cultural references linked to families bearing the surname.