This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Nilsson family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Nilsson Family History

Nilsson Surname Meaning

Swedish and German: patronymic from the personal name Nils, a shortened form of Nikolaus.

Compare Nilson, Neilson, and Nielson.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Nilsson family from?

You can see how Nilsson families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Nilsson family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1871 and 1920. The most Nilsson families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 18 Nilsson families living in London. This was about 32% of all the recorded Nilsson's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Nilsson families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Nilsson surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Nilsson ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Journeyman Tailor and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Nilsson. 100% of Nilsson men worked as a Journeyman Tailor and 100% of Nilsson women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Nilsson | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Journeyman Tailor
    100%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    100%

What Nilsson family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 12,000 census records available for the last name Nilsson. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Nilsson census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Nilsson

Passenger Lists

There are 133,000 immigration records available for the last name Nilsson. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Nilsson immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Nilsson. For the veterans among your Nilsson ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Nilsson military records

You've only scratched the surface of Nilsson family history

Discover More

What is the average Nilsson lifespan?

Between 1946 and 2004, in the United States, Nilsson life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1946, and highest in 2000. The average life expectancy for Nilsson in 1946 was 37, and 77 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Nilsson

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Nilsson ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Nilsson family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial