Contents [hide]

Wilkins History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Sources

Wilkins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Wilkins

What does the name Wilkins mean?

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought the Wilkins family name to the British Isles. Wilkins comes from the Norman personal name William, which is derived from the words will, meaning resolution and helm, meaning armed. 1 2

Early Origins of the Wilkins family

The surname Wilkins was first found in Glamorganshire where they held a family seat from early times. They were descended from Robert de Wintona, one of twelve knights who came into Glamorgan with Robert Fitzhamon, a Norman noble, in 1066. Fitzhamon was Sheriff of Kent and founder of Tewkesbury. 3

The Pipe Rolls for Northumberland list the name Wilechm in 1166 and later Wilekinus was found in the Hampshire Pipe Rills for 1191. Richard Wilekin was found in the Pipe Rolls for Hampshire in 1180 and William Wilekin in the Curia Regis Rolls for London in 1220. Roger Wylkyns was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire in 1327. 4

Early History of the Wilkins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilkins research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1558, 1601, 1603, 1614, 1618, 1625, 1626, 1668, 1672, 1685, 1699 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Wilkins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilkins Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Wilkins, Wilkin, Wilkines, Wilkyn, Wilking and others.

Early Notables of the Wilkins family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

John Wilkins FRS (1614-1672), an English clergyman, natural philosopher and author, founder of the Invisible College and one of the founders of the Royal Society, Bishop of Chester from 1668 until his...
Thomas Wilkins (1625 or 1626-1699), was a Welsh cleric and antiquarian; and George Wilkins (died 1618), was an English dramatist and pamphleteer best known for his probable collaboration with Shakespe...
David Wilkins (1685-1745), was an English scholar, born of Prussian parentage. His true name was Wilke, which he latinised as Wilkius, and then Anglicized into Wilkins. 5
George Wilkins (fl. 1601), was an English dramatist and pamphleteer. "The burial register of the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, which has been consulted by the present writer, attests that 'George...
John Wilkins (1614-1672), was an English divine, Bishop of Chester, the son of Walter Wilkins, an Oxford goldsmith. 5

Wilkins World Ranking

In the United States, the name Wilkins is the 485^th most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Wilkins is ranked the 535^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,244 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Wilkins is the 508^th popular surname with an estimated 1,357 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Wilkins as 367^th with 17,065 people. 9

Wilkins migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Wilkins or a variant listed above:

Wilkins Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Roger Wilkins, who arrived in America in 1620 10
Giles Wilkins, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Supply" 10
Goodwife Wilkins, who settled in Virginia in 1623 along with John
Bray Wilkins, who arrived in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1634 10
Humfrey Wilkins, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilkins Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Robert Wilkins, who landed in Virginia in 1723 10
Thomas Wilkins, aged 43, who arrived in New England in 1774 10
Thomas Wilkins settled with his wife Temperance, in Boston in 1774 with six children
Joseph Wilkins, aged 14, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1775 10
Arnold Wilkins, who landed in New York, NY in 1797 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilkins Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Wilkins, who arrived in Maryland in 1824 10
Edmund Wilkins, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1836 10
James F Wilkins, aged 37, who arrived in St Louis, Missouri in 1846 10
B F Wilkins, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 10
E Wilkins, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1855 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilkins migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wilkins Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Andrew Wilkins U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 11
Mr. Isaac Wilkins U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 11
Mr. Martin Wilkins U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 11
Mr. Robert Wilkins U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 11

Wilkins Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Susanna Wilkins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1822
Robert Wilkins, aged 50, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
Jane Wilkins, aged 40, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
Alice Wilkins, aged 14, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
Robert Wilkins, aged 10, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilkins migration to Australia +

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

Wilkins Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Wilkins, English convict who was convicted in Warwickshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Charles Wilkins, (b. 1788), aged 27, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1839 13
Mr. James Wilkins, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Charles Wilkins, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
George Wilkins, English convict from Somerset, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilkins 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:

Wilkins Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Wilkins, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
John Wilkins, aged 37, a gardener, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arab" in 1841
Grace Wilkins, aged 38, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arab" in 1841
Matthew Wilkins, aged 17, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arab" in 1841
Hannah Wilkins, aged 15, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arab" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Wilkins (post 1700) +

Richard Wilkins (1927-1965), American attorney who died in the 1965 in the Douglas DC-3 crash
George Edward Wilkins (1934-2024), American musician, arranger, and composer
Dr. George Thomas Wilkins Jr. (1932-2005), American Board Certified Pediatrician, Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees for 21 years, he was awarded 13 honors 17
George W. Wilkins (1817-1902), American attorney and politician who served as President of the Vermont State Senate 17
Jack Wilkins (1944-2023), born Jack Rivers Lewis, an American jazz guitarist who worked with Dan Armstrong, Lew Soloff, Lew Tabackin, and Lloyd Wells
Jesse Ernest Wilkins Jr. (1923-2011), American nuclear scientist and mathematician
Jesse Ernest Wilkins Sr. (1894-1959), American lawyer, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor (1954â€“1958)
Roy Wilkins (1901-1981), American Civil rights activist and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
William H. Wilkins, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New Hampshire 2nd District, 1910; Candidate for U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, 1914, 1920; Candidate for Governor of New Hampshire, 1916 17
William T. Wilkins, American politician, Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia, 1940-49 17
... (Another 82 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Wilkins family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Franklin R Wilkins (1964-1985), American Private from Shamokin, Pennsylvania, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 18

HMS Hood

Mr. George H Wilkins (b. 1913), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19

HMS Repulse

Mr. John Wilkins, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 20

HMS Royal Oak

Joseph Paschal Wilkins (1903-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 21

The Wilkins Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Estote prudentes
Motto Translation: Be ye prudent.

Sources +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html