Collins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Collins

What does the name Collins mean?

The name Collins is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the personal name Nicholas. A common diminutive of the name Nicholas was Colin. 1

Saint Collen was a 7th-century monk who gave his name to Llangollen, Denbighshire which translates from the Welsh as "church of the hazel-wood."

Early Origins of the Collins family

The surname Collins was first found in various counties throughout old Britain. By example, the Hundreorum Rolls of 1273 list William de Colince or Colunce as holding lands at Chadlington, Oxford, and Hugh de Culunce had custody of Pont Orson temp. King John, c. 1200. Ernis de Coulonces married a daughter of William de Warrenne, Earl of Surrey, temp. Henry I. and Hugh de Colonches in 1165, held a barony of four fees. Adam de Coulnce paid a fine to the King in Oxfordshire 1203, and Hugh de Coulnce confirmed lands to Mottisfont Priory 2

We must look to Somerset to view an early entry for an early phonetic match to the more popular spellings of today. For it is there that John Colyngs was listed as holding lands, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 3

Down in Cornwall, the Halset manor in Lesnewth, "belonged to the family of Colyn but in the reign of James I. it was the property of Thomas Southcott, Esq. and Mr. Humphrey Brown." 4

Again in Cornwall, "the manor of Luxulian was in the family of Collins in the reign of Elizabeth, after which it became the property of the Kendalls." 4

Early History of the Collins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Collins research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1500, 1576, 1618, 1623, 1624, 1625, 1651, 1653, 1660, 1667, 1683, 1690, 1697, 1705, 1711 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Collins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Collins Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Collins has been spelled many different ways, including Collins, Collin, Collings, Colling, Collis, Caullins, Caulling, Caullings, Caullis, Colins, Colings, Coliss and many more.

Early Notables of the Collins family

Distinguished members of the family include

Samuel Collins (1576-1651), an English clergyman and academic, Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge and Provost of King's College, Cambridge; and his son, John Collins (1624-1711), an English aca...

Collins World Ranking

In the United States, the name Collins is the 50^th most popular surname with an estimated 333,258 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Collins is ranked the 123^rd most popular surname with an estimated 25,134 people with that name. 6 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Collins is the 940^th popular surname. 7 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Collins as 26^th with 706 people. 8 France ranks Collins as 7,435^th with 1,000 - 1,500 people. 9 Australia ranks Collins as 51^st with 38,969 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Collins as 72^nd with 4,731 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Collins as 63^rd with 71,214 people. 12 South Africa ranks Collins as 890^th with 7,808 people. 13

Migration of the Collins family to Ireland

Some of the Collins family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Collins migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Collinss to arrive in North America:

Collins Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Susan Collins, aged 40, who arrived in Virginia in 1613 aboard the ship "Treasurer" 14
John Collins, who landed in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Supply" 14
Peter Collins, British servant who landed in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Addam" 14
Robert Collins, who arrived in Virginia in 1622-1623 14
Josias Collins, who landed in Virginia in 1622 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Collins Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edward Collins, who landed in Virginia in 1703 14
Diana Collins, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 14
Sara Collins, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 14
Mattw Collins, who landed in Virginia in 1714 14
Thomas Collins, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Collins Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Isaac Collins, aged 30, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 14
William Collins, who arrived in America in 1805 14
Margaret Collins, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 14
Patrick Collins, who landed in America in 1812 14
Bartholomew Collins, aged 44, who landed in New York in 1812 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Collins Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mrs. Kate Collins, (b. 1843), aged 57, Cornish teacher travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th April 1900 en route to Cherokee, Iowa, USA 15
Miss Louisa Collins, (b. 1882), aged 18, Cornish teacher travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th April 1900 en route to Cherokee, Iowa, USA 15
Mr. George H. Collins, (b. 1875), aged 25, Cornish mason travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th August 1900 en route to Columbus, Ohio, USA 15
Mr. Walter H. Collins, (b. 1882), aged 18, Cornish plumber travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 29th August 1900 en route to Columbus, Ohio, USA 15
Mr. Daniel Collins, (b. 1842), aged 60, Cornish settler from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 6th August 1902 en route to Michigan, USA 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Collins migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Collins Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Collins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Laurance Collins, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Peter Collins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Lawrence Collins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Margaret Collins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Collins Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

David Collins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1825
Edward Collins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1829
Jeremiah Collins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1829
Thomas Collins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1830
Catherine Collins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1830
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Collins migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Collins Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. William Collins, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 15th July 1790, sentenced for 7 years for stealing one iron furze hook, transported Atlantic" on 27th March 1791 to New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. William Collins, (b. 1778), aged 19, English butcher who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia he died in 1801 17

Collins Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Collins, Irish convict who was convicted in Dundalk, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mrs. Anne Collins, (b. 1778), aged 31, Irish convict who was convicted in Armagh, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Dennis Collins, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. William Collins, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died on board in 1817 21
Mr. Richard Collins, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Collins migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Collins Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Power Collins, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
R Collins, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Clifton
James Collins, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Edward Collins, aged 21, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
James Collins, aged 31, a labourer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Collins migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 22

Collins Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Walter Collins, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 23
Charles Collins, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife, two children, and servants

Collins Settlers in West Indies in the 19th Century

Mr. Charles Collins, (b. 1866), aged 26, Cornish rope maker travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 28th January 1892 en route to Havana, Cuba 15

Contemporary Notables of the name Collins (post 1700) +

Michael Collins (1890-1922), Irish nationalist and Sinn Fein leader who helped negotiate the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1921
Cora Susan Collins (1927-2025), American child actress who appeared in 47 films during the Golden Years of Hollywood, best known for The Scarlet Letter (1934), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)
Dwayne Collins (1988-2025), American professional basketball player
Arthurine Collins (1923-1978), American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Francis Dolan Collins (1841-1891), American politician
G. Pat Collins (1895-1959), born as George Percy Collins, American actor of stage and screen
Gail Collins (b. 1945), American journalist and author
Gary James Collins (b. 1940), American former football wide receiver and punter
Gary Collins (b. 1960), American stock car racing driver
Florestine Perrault Collins (1895-1988), American professional photographer
... (Another 115 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Collins family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Capt. Thomas James Collins (1934-1979), New Zealander Captain, from Auckland, New Zealand working aboard the Air New Zealand sightseeing Flight 901 when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 24
Mr. Martin John Collins (d. 1979), New Zealander Purser, from Auckland, New Zealand working aboard the Air New Zealand sightseeing Flight 901 when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 24

Flight 191

Mrs. Sara Collins (d. 1979), American passenger from Buffalo, New York, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 25

Hillsborough disaster

Gary Collins (1966-1989), English quality controller who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 26

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Charles Ernest Collins (1921-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27
Mr. William Henry Collins (1912-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Hunter's Hill, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27

HMS Hood

Mr. Reginald J Collins (b. 1905), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Weymouth, Dorset, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28
Mr. Arthur R Collins (b. 1916), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. John Collins, British Stoker 1st Class from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 29
Mr. Frederick R H Collins, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 29

HMS Repulse

Mr. Albert Collins, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 30

HMS Royal Oak

Robert Leslie Collins (1916-1939), British Leading Sick Berth Attendant with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 31
George Alfred Collins (1922-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 31

North Sea Flood

Thomas Collins, British citizen, living in Fellixstowe, England,killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

RMS Lusitania

Mr. James Collins, English 1st Class Cabin Bed Steward from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 32
Mr. Patrick Collins, Irish Fireman from County Cork, Ireland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 32
Mr. James Lord Collins, English Trimmer from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 32

RMS Titanic

Mr. John Collins, aged 17, Irish Scullion from Belfast, Ireland who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in collapsible B 33
Mr. John Collins, aged 38, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 1 33

SS Newfoundland

Mr. Jesse Collins (b. 1884), Newfoundlander from New Harbour, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived
Mr. Wesley Collins, Newfoundlander from New Town, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived
Mr. Fred Collins (1893-1914), Newfoundlander from Newport, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time

USS Arizona

Mr. Austin Collins, American Shipfitter Third Class from Kentucky, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 34
Mr. Billy Murl Collins, American Seaman First Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 34

USS Indianapolis

James Collins (1916-1945), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 35

Vimy Ridge

John Collins (1885-1917), Canadian cook, Private in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge May 1917

Sources +

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Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
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