Clan Nicolson - History of The Clan

History of The Clan

The chiefly line of Clan Nicolson claims descent from James Nicolson, an Edinburgh lawyer who died around 1580. His ancestors had been burgesses of Aberdeen in the 15th century. He had two sons, John and James. James entered the Church and became Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1595. By 1606 he was appointed Bishop of Dunkeld, though died in 1607. James's older brother, John, acquired the lands of Lasswade from Sinclair of Dryden in 1592. In 1629, his son was created a Baronet in Nova Scotia as Nicolson of that Ilk and Lasswade. His titled was succeeded by his grandson who became a Commissioner of Parliament for Edinburgh in 1672. The direct male line however died out by 1826, and the titles were claimed by a descendant of the branch descending from Nicolson Bishop of Dunkeld.

The title Baron of Carnock passed to another cousin Major General Sir William Nicolson, who was an only son of George Nicolson of Tarviston. The general saw service in the Americas, India, Ireland and Mauritius. He died in 1820 to be succeeded by his son, Admiral Sir Frederick Nicolson. In 1879, the admiral's eldest son, Frederick, was killed fighting the Zulus, so the title was passed to the second son, Arthur, in 1899. In June 1916 Arthur was created Baron Carnock of Carnock.

In the 1980s, David Nicolson, 4th Baron Carnock petitioned the Lord Lyon King of Arms to be recognised as the chief of Clan Nicolson, in virtue of his ancestor—John Nicolson of that Ilk, 1st Baronet of Lasswade (d. 1651). At around the same time another Nicolson was in the process of putting forward a petition to became chief of the Highland Nicolsons. In 1985, after matriculating arms, David Nicolson, 4th Baron Carnock was recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms as chief of the name Nicolson. The position of chief of clan Nicolson is currently vacant, although Adam Nicolson, 5th Lord Carnock, could legitimately claim it.