WILKINS
Wilkins
Origin and Etymology Wilkins is a surname of English origin, deriving from the given name "Wilkin," which is a diminutive of the name "William." The name "William" itself comes from the Germanic elements "wil," meaning desire, and "helm," meaning helmet or protection. The surname Wilkins signifies "son of Wilkin" or "son of William."
History The surname Wilkins has a long history in England, with records of its use dating back to the medieval period. The name was first found in the county of Somerset in the southwest of England, but Wilkins families can be found throughout the country. Over the centuries, the surname Wilkins has spread to other English-speaking countries through migration and colonization.
Famous Individuals The Wilkins surname has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history. One prominent figure was John Wilkins (1614-1672), a natural philosopher and Anglican bishop who played a key role in the development of the Royal Society, a prestigious scientific institution in England. Another notable Wilkins was Maurice Wilkins (1916-2004), a New Zealand-born British biophysicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962 for his contributions to the discovery of the structure of DNA.
Variants Variants of the Wilkins surname include Wilkin, Wilkyns, Wilkens, Wilken, Wilkyn, and Wilkings.
Modern Distribution Today, the surname Wilkins remains fairly common in England and the United States, as well as in other English-speaking countries. The name continues to be passed down through generations, preserving the legacy of the Wilkins family name.
Coat of Arms The Wilkins family coat of arms typically features traditional heraldic symbols such as shields, crests, and mottoes, representing the family's history and values.
In conclusion, the surname Wilkins is a venerable and distinguished name with a rich history that has left its mark on science, academia, and various other fields.
There are approximately 22,128 people named Wilkins in the UK. That makes it the 386th most common surname in Britain. Around 340 in a million people in Britain are named Wilkins.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Janet
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Samantha
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.