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Clan Nicolson

Generositate (By generosity)

Two separate clans use forms of the name Nicolson. The Lowland Clan Nicolson, whose motto COSCA records as Generositate ('By generosity'), is distinct from the Highland Clan MacNeacail - also anglicised Nicolson or MacNicol - which was seated at Scorrybreac near Portree on the Isle of Skye until 1825. The Highland clan's chief, John Macneacail of Macneacail & Scorrybreac, is listed by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and named by COSCA; for the Lowland clan COSCA names 'The Rt. Hon. Lord Carnock' as chief, a style that does not appear on the Standing Council's list.

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Clan Nicolson Crest

Clan Nicolson Crest

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Personalized Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration FK37

Personalized Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration FK37

Personalized Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions...
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Bagpiper Ornament

Nicolson · Hunting Ancient

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Drummer Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
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Drummer Ornament

Nicolson · Modern

Nicolson Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration NG99

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
From £16.00 GBP
£20.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP
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Bagpiper Ornament

Nicolson · Modern

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration WH27

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration WH27

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
From £16.00 GBP
£20.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP
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Bagpiper Ornament

Nicolson · Modern

Personalized Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration HP52

Personalized Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration HP52

Personalized Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Bagpipe Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree DecorationCelebrate your Scottish heritage with this unique wood & acrylic tartan ornament. Perfect as a personalized Christmas decoration or a meaningful gift for friends and relatives on special occasions such...
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Bagpiper Ornament

Nicolson · Ancient

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Hoodie Crest YJXUCOFP-1 Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Hoodies Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Hoodie Crest YJXUCOFP-1 Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Hoodies

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Hoodie Crest - Nicolson Hunting Ancient

Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Clan Hoodie Crest Details: Our 95% polyester and 5% spandex hoodies produce high-quality thermal-transfer printed products that keep you comfortable, cool, and dry while you work and play. The use of high-tech graphic prints on hoodies, as well as vibrant...
£44.00 GBP
£44.00 GBP
  • Nicolson Hunting Ancient

Tartan Hoodie

Nicolson · Hunting Ancient

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Crest Jogger Sweatpants Alba Celtic StyleClan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Crest Jogger Sweatpants Alba Celtic Style, view 2

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Crest Jogger Sweatpants Alba Celtic Style - Nicolson Ancient Tartan

Nicolson Ancient Tartan Clan Crest Jogger Sweatpants Alba Celtic Style Product details: This unisex jogger features a soft and durable fabric. These garments are made from polyester, with each design being made-to-order 95% polyester, 5% spandex Double layer side insert pockets High definition printing...
£37.00 GBP
£37.00 GBP
  • Nicolson Ancient Tartan

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Crest Jogger Sweatpants Alba Celtic Style

Nicolson

Clan Nicolson Tartan Crest KeychainClan Nicolson Tartan Crest Keychain, view 2

Clan Nicolson Tartan Crest Keychain - Nicolson Tartan Clan

Nicolson Tartan Clan Crest Keychain Product detail: This personalized keychain for pictures are the perfect choice for a fun gift idea, the choice is yours to come up with a surprise for someone you love. The keychain is made of PMMA, environmentally, friendly, pollution-free,...
From £12.00 GBP
From £12.00 GBP
  • Nicolson Tartan Clan

Clan Nicolson Tartan Crest Keychain

Nicolson

Nicolson Modern tartan canvas table runner with the Clan Nicolson crest hanging over the end of an oak table by the fireClose-up of the Nicolson Modern tartan table runner end hanging over the table, with the Clan Nicolson crest

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner - Nicolson Modern Tartan

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner A table runner in the Nicolson Modern tartan with the crest badge of Clan Nicolson printed three times: once at each end, where it hangs over the edge of the table, and once in the centre....
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP
  • Nicolson Modern Tartan

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner

Nicolson · Modern Tartan

Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan canvas table runner with the Clan Nicolson crest hanging over the end of an oak table by the fireClose-up of the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan table runner end hanging over the table, with the Clan Nicolson crest

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner - Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner A table runner in the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan with the crest badge of Clan Nicolson printed three times: once at each end, where it hangs over the edge of the table, and once in...
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP
  • Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner

Nicolson · Hunting Ancient Tartan

Nicolson Ancient tartan canvas table runner with the Clan Nicolson crest hanging over the end of an oak table by the fireClose-up of the Nicolson Ancient tartan table runner end hanging over the table, with the Clan Nicolson crest

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner - Nicolson Ancient Tartan

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner A table runner in the Nicolson Ancient tartan with the crest badge of Clan Nicolson printed three times: once at each end, where it hangs over the edge of the table, and once in the centre....
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP
  • Nicolson Ancient Tartan

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Crest Canvas Table Runner

Nicolson · Ancient Tartan

Acrylic Highland cow calf ornament playing the bagpipes, in a Nicolson Modern tartan Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag, with a custom name on the hatExample of the personalized Highland cow piper ornament with the name "Nicolson" on the Santa hat

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A fluffy Highland cow calf playing the bagpipes, dressed for Christmas in a Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag of the Nicolson Modern tartan. The white fur band of the hat carries the...
From £16.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP

Tartan Ornament

Nicolson · Modern

Acrylic Highland cow calf ornament playing the bagpipes, in a Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag, with a custom name on the hatExample of the personalized Highland cow piper ornament with the name "Nicolson" on the Santa hat

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A fluffy Highland cow calf playing the bagpipes, dressed for Christmas in a Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag of the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan. The white fur band of the hat...
From £16.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP

Tartan Ornament

Nicolson · Hunting Ancient

Acrylic Highland cow calf ornament playing the bagpipes, in a Nicolson Ancient tartan Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag, with a custom name on the hatExample of the personalized Highland cow piper ornament with the name "Nicolson" on the Santa hat

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Piper Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A fluffy Highland cow calf playing the bagpipes, dressed for Christmas in a Santa hat, scarf and pipe bag of the Nicolson Ancient tartan. The white fur band of the hat carries the...
From £16.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP

Tartan Ornament

Nicolson · Ancient

Christmas piper ornament in the Nicolson Modern tartan hanging on a Christmas tree, with the customer photo used for the faceAcrylic bagpiper Christmas ornament in the Nicolson Modern tartan with a gold hanging cord

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo A Santa-style Highland piper playing the pipes, dressed in a kilt, plaid and hose in the Nicolson Modern tartan. Send us a photo and our designers put the face on the piper, so the...
From £20.00 GBP
£25.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
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Tartan Ornament

Nicolson · Modern

Christmas piper ornament in the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan hanging on a Christmas tree, with the customer photo used for the faceAcrylic bagpiper Christmas ornament in the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan with a gold hanging cord

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo A Santa-style Highland piper playing the pipes, dressed in a kilt, plaid and hose in the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan. Send us a photo and our designers put the face on the piper,...
From £20.00 GBP
£25.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
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Tartan Ornament

Nicolson · Hunting Ancient

Christmas piper ornament in the Nicolson Ancient tartan hanging on a Christmas tree, with the customer photo used for the faceAcrylic bagpiper Christmas ornament in the Nicolson Ancient tartan with a gold hanging cord

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Ornament with Custom Photo A Santa-style Highland piper playing the pipes, dressed in a kilt, plaid and hose in the Nicolson Ancient tartan. Send us a photo and our designers put the face on the piper, so the...
From £20.00 GBP
£25.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
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Tartan Ornament

Nicolson · Ancient

Personalized Christmas piper plaque in the Nicolson Modern tartan, standing on a snowy log base with a name plaqueClose-up of the piper face made from your photo, Nicolson Modern tartan plaid on the shoulder

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name A Christmas piper in the Nicolson Modern tartan, playing the pipes on a snowy log base with a lantern, a little tree and a snowman. Send us a photo and our designers...
From £20.00 GBP
£26.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
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Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Nicolson · Modern

Personalized Christmas piper plaque in the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan, standing on a snowy log base with a name plaqueClose-up of the piper face made from your photo, Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan plaid on the shoulder

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name A Christmas piper in the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan, playing the pipes on a snowy log base with a lantern, a little tree and a snowman. Send us a photo and...
From £20.00 GBP
£26.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
Save £6.00

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Nicolson · Hunting Ancient

Personalized Christmas piper plaque in the Nicolson Ancient tartan, standing on a snowy log base with a name plaqueClose-up of the piper face made from your photo, Nicolson Ancient tartan plaid on the shoulder

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name A Christmas piper in the Nicolson Ancient tartan, playing the pipes on a snowy log base with a lantern, a little tree and a snowman. Send us a photo and our designers...
From £20.00 GBP
£26.00 GBP
From £20.00 GBP
Save £6.00

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Christmas Piper Plaque with Custom Photo & Name

Nicolson · Ancient

Clan Nicolson crest in the centre of a stained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with the Nicolson Modern tartan behind the thistleStained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with a gold bagpipe emblem and the Nicolson Modern tartan behind the thistle

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper A stained-glass style tree topper: Scotland's thistle, framed in gold, standing in front of a round window of the Nicolson Modern tartan. A Scottish heritage finish for the top of your Christmas tree. Choose your design:...
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP

Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Nicolson · Modern

Clan Nicolson crest in the centre of a stained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan behind the thistleStained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with a gold bagpipe emblem and the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan behind the thistle

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper A stained-glass style tree topper: Scotland's thistle, framed in gold, standing in front of a round window of the Nicolson Hunting Ancient tartan. A Scottish heritage finish for the top of your Christmas tree. Choose...
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP

Clan Nicolson Hunting Ancient Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Nicolson · Hunting Ancient

Clan Nicolson crest in the centre of a stained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with the Nicolson Ancient tartan behind the thistleStained-glass style thistle Christmas tree topper with a gold bagpipe emblem and the Nicolson Ancient tartan behind the thistle

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper A stained-glass style tree topper: Scotland's thistle, framed in gold, standing in front of a round window of the Nicolson Ancient tartan. A Scottish heritage finish for the top of your Christmas tree. Choose your design:...
From £23.00 GBP
From £23.00 GBP

Clan Nicolson Ancient Tartan Thistle Christmas Tree Topper

Nicolson · Ancient

Wooden Highland cow Christmas ornament wearing a Nicolson Modern tartan scarf, with a ribbon banner for a custom nameExample of the personalized Highland cow ornament with the name "The Nicolson Family" on the ribbon banner

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name – Scottish Christmas Tree Decoration

Personalized Clan Nicolson Modern Tartan Highland Cow Ornament with Custom Name A shaggy Highland cow, Scotland's favourite, wrapped up for winter in a scarf of the Nicolson Modern tartan, with a sprig of holly between its horns. The ribbon banner below carries the name...
From £16.00 GBP
From £16.00 GBP

Tartan Ornament

Nicolson · Modern

Crest & Motto

Clan Nicolson Crest Badge & Motto

The motto of Clan Nicolson is Generositate (By generosity). It appears on the Clan Nicolson crest badge: the chief’s heraldic crest set inside a strap and buckle that carries the motto.

In Scotland a crest belongs to the chief, not to everyone with the surname. Clan members may wear the crest badge, with the crest inside the strap and buckle, to show that they belong to the clan. The plain crest without the strap remains the chief’s own.

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Tartan Identity

Clan Nicolson’s Tartans

Nicolson tartan swatch

Nicolson

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Discover the Full Nicolson Collection

Personalised gifts, apparel and heritage decor for Clan Nicolson.

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The Nicolson Story

  1. c.1300

    Highland line: the chiefly family ends in an heiress who marries Torquil MacLeod[4]

  2. 1825

    Highland clan: the last chief leaves Skye; descendants settle in New South Wales[3][4]

  3. 1984

    Lowland clan: the Lord Lyon recognises Sir David Nicolson, Lord Carnock, as chief[4]

  4. 1987

    Highland clan: worldwide fundraising buys 130 acres at Scorrybreac outright[3]

  5. 1988

    Lord Lyon titles the Highland chief Ian MacNeacail of MacNeacail and Scorrybreac[4]

Clan Nicolson Crest & Plant Badge

Plant badgeSprig of juniper

Visit the Nicolson Homeland

Map of Scotland with Nicolson places marked

Scorrybreac, near Portree, Isle of Skye

Seat of the Highland Clan MacNeacail's chiefs for nearly 800 years, until 1825; 130 acres now administered by Urras Clann MhicNeacail.[3][1]

Map outline: Natural Earth (public domain). Pins use official Historic Environment Scotland grid references.

Clan Nicolson Today

ChiefForms of this name belong to two clans. For the Lowland Clan Nicolson, COSCA's clan finder names 'The Rt. Hon. Lord Carnock' as chief; no Nicolson entry appears on the published members list of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. The Lord Lyon recognised Sir David Nicolson, Lord Carnock, as Chief of Clan Nicolson in 1984. The separate Highland Clan MacNeacail is listed by the Standing Council under 'Macneacail', with the chief John Macneacail of Macneacail & Scorrybreac, whom COSCA also names.

Surnames linked to Clan Nicolson

These family names are connected with Clan Nicolson. Each list says who records the link.

Listed by the clan society or COSCA

  • Mac Niccol
  • Mac Nichol
  • Mac Nicholas
  • Mac Nickel
  • Mac Nickell
  • Mac Nickle
  • Mac Nicol
  • Mac Nicoll
  • Mac Nicols
  • Mac Nychole
  • Mackrycul
  • Nichol
  • Nicholas
  • Nicholls
  • Nichols
  • Nicholson
  • Nicol
  • Nicols

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Questions about Clan Nicolson

Are Clan Nicolson and Clan MacNeacail the same?

No. Two separate clans share forms of the name: the Lowland Clan Nicolson, and the Highland Clan MacNeacail (also anglicised Nicolson or MacNicol), long seated at Scorrybreac on Skye.

What is the Nicolson motto?

COSCA lists the Lowland Clan Nicolson's motto as Generositate ('By generosity'). COSCA lists the Highland Clan MacNeacail (MacNicol) separately, with the motto Meminisse Sed Providere ('Remember but look ahead').

Who is the chief of Clan Nicolson?

It depends which clan. For the Lowland Clan Nicolson, COSCA names 'The Rt. Hon. Lord Carnock' as chief, but no Nicolson entry appears on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs' published list; the Lord Lyon recognised Sir David Nicolson, Lord Carnock, as chief in 1984. The Highland Clan MacNeacail's chief, John Macneacail of Macneacail & Scorrybreac, is listed by the Standing Council and named by COSCA.

Where did the Highland Clan MacNeacail (Nicolson of Skye) come from?

Scorrybreac, near Portree on the Isle of Skye, was the seat of the clan's chiefs for nearly 800 years, until the last chief left the island in 1825; his descendants settled in New South Wales, Australia. The 130 acres were bought outright in 1987 by a fundraising effort in Scotland, North America, Australia and New Zealand.

What is the Nicolson plant badge?

COSCA lists a sprig of juniper as the plant badge of the Lowland Clan Nicolson.

Sources

  1. Find a clan: MacNicol, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA)
  2. Members of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
  3. The Lands of Scorrybreac, Clan MacNicol Federation
  4. Clan Nicolson, Electric Scotland
  5. Find a clan: Nicolson, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA)