Of course, "Nilsson" means "Nils's Son", and variations are Nelsen, Nelson, etc.
My Uncle Henry was actually "Henrik Nels Hansen" (my family tree is from Jylland).
One could imagine that it derives from "Njal's Son", but it doesn't, and, in fact, "Njal" is actually an Irish loan into Norse.
"Nils" derives from "Nicholas", who was a Saint in the early CHRISTian Church,
and thus enters the Norse language with the entry of the Gospel of CHRIST into Skandinavia.
 
I hope this helps.
 
Paul David Hansen
Duvall, WA 98019

 
To: norse_course@yahoogroups.com
From: ninamite@...
Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2011 01:35:32 -0700
Subject: [norse_course] Translation of my Swedish Surname

 
Hello, I am trying to find research materials or help of any kind to translate my Swedish surname, (Nilsson) to Old Swedish or even a Runic translation. 
My family immigrated from Southwest Sweden so I would like to find out the variation used there from the 7th to 11th centuries. I would be extremely grateful to be directed to a reliable source to obtain the translation from directly.
Any help would be appreciated.

--
Nina Nilson
1859 SW Hungry Hill Drive
Grants Pass, OR 97527
619-822-0767