Son of John Francis Quintela Nicholson, son of an English and wife and paternal granddaughter of the 1st Viscount of the Charruada Nobleman of Coat of Arms of Pereira (crest) and Rebelo with crown of Viscount (in turn son of the 1st Count of Farrobo Nobleman of Coat of Arms of Pereira (crest) and Rebelo with crown of Count and 2nd Baron of Quintela Nobleman of Coat of Arms of Pereira (crest) and Rebelo with crown of Baron) and wife, daughter of the 1st Viscount of the Cartaxo Nobleman of Coat of Arms of Teixeira (crest), de Sampaio, do Amaral and Guedes with crown of Viscount (brother of the 1st Count of the Póvoa Nobleman of Coat of Arms of Teixeira (crest), de Sampaio, do Amaral and Guedes with crown of Count and 1st Baron of Teixeira Nobleman of Coat of Arms of Teixeira (crest), de Sampaio, do Amaral and Guedes with crown of Baron) and wife Maria Alice de Vasconcelos Marques. Had a sister named Maria Antónia de Vasconcelos Nicholson (b. São Jorge de Arroios, Lisbon, 28 September 1941), widowed and with two sons.