Watkins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A product of the ancient Brythonic Celts of Wales, the name Watkins, is from the personal name Walter. The surname Watkins is derived from the pet form Wat, which is supplemented by the common diminutive suffix -kin. 

Early Origins of the Watkins family

The surname Watkins was first found in Breconshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog), a traditional county in southern Wales, which takes its name from the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog (5th-10th centuries), where they held a family seat at Pennoyre from ancient times and early in the eleventh century branched to Llangorse in that same shire.

Early History of the Watkins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Watkins research. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1653, 1670, 1660, 1665 and 1670 are included under the topic Early Watkins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Watkins Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person’s name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welshnames into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Watkins has occasionally been spelled Watkins, Watkyns, Watkens, Watkin and others.

Early Notables of the Watkins family (pre 1700)

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Morgan Watkins (fl. 1653-1670), English Quaker from Herefordshire who was imprisoned in 1660 in St. Albans gaol and later twice in 1665… 
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Watkins Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Watkins World Ranking

In the United States, the name Watkins is the 174^th most popular surname with an estimated 136,785 people with that name. [1] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Watkins is ranked the 379^th most popular surname with an estimated 124 people with that name. [2] And in Australia, the name Watkins is the 373^rd popular surname with an estimated 9,872 people with that name. [3] New Zealand ranks Watkins as 307^th with 1,990 people. [4] The United Kingdom ranks Watkins as 221^st with 26,124 people. [5]

 Migration of the Watkins family to Ireland

Some of the Watkins family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Watkins migration to the United States +

In the 1800s and 1900s, many Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Watkins 

Watkins Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• James Watkins, who landed in Jamestown, Va in 1607 [6]
• Perregrin Watkins, (Watkines), aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship “George” [6]
• Daniell Watkins, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship “Charles” [6]
• Evan Watkins, who settled in Virginia in 1622
• Rice Watkins, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship “Francis Bonaventure” [6]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Watkins Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Margery Watkins, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 [6]
• Eliza Watkins, who landed in Virginia in 1714 [6]
• Robert Watkins, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 [6]
• Hezekiah Watkins, who landed in New York in 1744 [6]
• John Watkins, who landed in North Carolina in 1748 [6]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Watkins Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• William Watkins, aged 41, who landed in New York in 1812 [6]
• Margaret Watkins settled with her husband in Norfolk, Virginia in 1822 with her six children
• Archibald H Watkins, who landed in Texas in 1836 [6]
• Isaac Watkins, who arrived in Mobile County, Ala in 1836 [6]
• Mary Watkins, aged 40, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1837 [6]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)