UK surname
A Norman surname derived from the French place name Évreux, referring to one who hailed from that area.
In the 1881 census there were 110 people recorded with the Nivison surname, ranking it #18,695 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 61, ranked #34,287, down from #18,695 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Leuchars, Edinburgh and Penicuik. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nivison is 113 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.5%.
1881 census count
110
Ranked #18,695
Modern count
61
2016, ranked #34,287
Peak year
1891
113 bearers
Map years
3
1881 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Nivison surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Nivison surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 43 | #25,518 |
| 1861 | historical | 91 | #22,206 |
| 1881 | historical | 110 | #18,695 |
| 1891 | historical | 113 | #22,162 |
| 1901 | historical | 111 | #21,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 15 | #31,938 |
| 1997 | modern | 54 | #32,210 |
| 1998 | modern | 62 | #31,735 |
| 1999 | modern | 70 | #31,135 |
| 2000 | modern | 59 | #32,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 61 | #31,891 |
| 2002 | modern | 65 | #31,903 |
| 2003 | modern | 63 | #32,152 |
| 2004 | modern | 65 | #32,177 |
| 2005 | modern | 56 | #33,264 |
| 2006 | modern | 57 | #33,513 |
| 2007 | modern | 60 | #33,539 |
| 2008 | modern | 60 | #33,743 |
| 2009 | modern | 67 | #33,450 |
| 2010 | modern | 67 | #33,713 |
| 2011 | modern | 69 | #33,532 |
| 2012 | modern | 65 | #33,964 |
| 2013 | modern | 60 | #34,378 |
| 2014 | modern | 63 | #34,212 |
| 2015 | modern | 57 | #34,519 |
| 2016 | modern | 61 | #34,287 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Leuchars, Edinburgh, Penicuik, Closeburn and Sanquhar. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leuchars | Fife |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Penicuik | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Closeburn | Dumfries |
| 5 | Sanquhar | Dumfries |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Nivison surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Nivison, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Nivison surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Nivison household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Nivison is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nivison is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Nivison, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Nivison is believed to have originated in Scotland during the 12th century. It is derived from the Old Norman French word "neve" or "neveu," meaning nephew or grandchild. The name likely evolved from a descriptive nickname given to someone who was the nephew or grandchild of a prominent individual.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homage rolls submitted to King Edward I of England by Scottish nobles and landowners. The entry "William Niveson de Liston" suggests that the name was present in the region of Linlithgow at that time.
In the 15th century, the spelling "Nivison" began to appear more frequently in Scottish records, particularly in the counties of Angus and Fife. The name was also associated with the village of Newbigging, which was once spelled as "Neubiggin" or "Nevison."
A notable figure in Scottish history bearing this surname was Robert Nivison, a merchant and burgess of Edinburgh in the late 16th century. He played a significant role in the city's trade and governance during his lifetime (c. 1550-1620).
Another individual of note was John Nivison, a Scottish Covenanter who was persecuted for his religious beliefs during the late 17th century. He was imprisoned and later exiled to the American colonies in 1685, settling in what is now New Jersey.
In the 18th century, the surname Nivison was also found in the records of the Clan Macnab, a Highland Scottish clan with roots in Perthshire. A prominent member of this clan was John Nivison Macnab (1718-1782), who served as a captain in the British Army during the Seven Years' War.
The 19th century saw several individuals with the surname Nivison making significant contributions in various fields. James Nivison (1784-1858) was a Scottish minister and author, known for his work on the history of the Church of Scotland.
Another notable figure was Sir John Nivison Greig (1832-1904), a Scottish-born businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Manchester, England, and was knighted for his contributions to public service.
Throughout its history, the surname Nivison has maintained a strong presence in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Angus, Fife, and Perthshire. While not a widespread name, it has been borne by individuals who have left their mark in various aspects of Scottish culture and society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nivison surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Midlothian leads with 36 Nivisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.04x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Midlothian | 36 | 25.04x |
| Dumfriesshire | 16 | 67.51x |
| Lanarkshire | 16 | 4.61x |
| Wigtownshire | 12 | 84.21x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 6 | 38.63x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.47x |
| Fife | 4 | 6.30x |
| Hampshire | 4 | 1.82x |
| East Lothian | 3 | 21.11x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.24x |
| Ayrshire | 2 | 2.49x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.55x |
| Angus | 1 | 1.01x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 17 Nivisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.40x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 17 | 29.40x |
| Penicuik | 11 | 564.10x |
| Shotts | 10 | 240.96x |
| Edinburgh St Johns | 8 | 879.12x |
| Keir | 8 | 2962.96x |
| Penninghame | 8 | 551.72x |
| Barony | 5 | 5.69x |
| Stoke Newington London | 5 | 59.81x |
| Kirkcowan | 4 | 833.33x |
| Leuchars | 4 | 500.00x |
| Morton | 4 | 506.33x |
| Newabbey | 4 | 1212.12x |
| Closeburn | 3 | 545.45x |
| Preston | 3 | 8.81x |
| St Helens | 3 | 187.50x |
| Tranent | 3 | 156.25x |
| Sorn | 2 | 126.58x |
| Walsall Foreign | 2 | 10.69x |
| Kelton | 1 | 78.13x |
| Kirkpatrick Juxta | 1 | 256.41x |
| Montrose | 1 | 16.61x |
| Old Monkland | 1 | 7.26x |
| Ryde | 1 | 21.19x |
| Urr | 1 | 49.51x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Nivison surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Nivison surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Nivison households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Bankers Clerk | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 110 people were recorded with the Nivison surname. That placed it at #18,695 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 61 in 2016. That gives Nivison a modern rank of #34,287.
A Norman surname derived from the French place name Évreux, referring to one who hailed from that area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Nivison bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.