Wilkinson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Wilkinson

What does the name Wilkinson mean?

Wilkinson is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Wilkinson comes from the Norman personal name Wilkins, which in turn is derived from the name William. William, which is derived from the words will, meaning resolution and helm, meaning armed. 1

Early Origins of the Wilkinson family

The surname Wilkinson was first found in Durham where they held a family seat from early times. They were descended from Robert de Wintona, of Glamorgan, 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. 2

"This name is almost entirely confined to the northern half of England, as defined by a line drawn west from the Wash. It is best represented in Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, and Lancashire, and is also fairly numerous in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Cheshire. " 3

Early rolls provided a wide range of spellings that have been used over the centuries: Roger Wyleconsesone, found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1332; and Thomas Wilkynson in the Subsidy Rolls for Cumberland in 1332. 4 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Adam Wylkynson and Thomas Wylkynson. 5

Early History of the Wilkinson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilkinson research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1566, 1586, 1597, 1601, 1610, 1613, 1616, 1646, 1647, 1650, 1675, 1690, 1728, 1738, 1797, 1798, 1808, 1875 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wilkinson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilkinson Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Wilkinson, Wilkisson, Wilkiesson and others.

Early Notables of the Wilkinson family

Henry Wilkinson (1610-1675), an English clergyman, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity, and member of the Westminster Assembly. He was the son of Henry Wilkinson (1566-1647), by his wife Sarah, was...
Henry Wilkinson (1616-1690), was an English clergyman and academic, Principal of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, son of William Wilkinson, curate or chaplain of Adwick-le-Street, Yorkshire. "John Wilkinson (d...
William Wilkinson (d. 1613), the English theological writer, matriculated as a Sizar of Queens' College, Cambridge. 6
John WIlkinson (1728-1808), was the 'father of the south Staffordshire iron trade,' and was born at Clifton, Cumberland, in 1728. His father, Isaac Wilkinson, had a small farm in Cumberland, but was a...

Wilkinson World Ranking

the United States, the name Wilkinson is the 631^st most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Wilkinson is ranked the 495^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,825 people with that name. 8 And in Australia, the name Wilkinson is the 162^nd popular surname with an estimated 18,821 people with that name. 9 New Zealand ranks Wilkinson as 113^rd with 3,860 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Wilkinson as 74^th with 60,393 people. 11

Migration of the Wilkinson family to Ireland

Some of the Wilkinson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilkinson migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Wilkinson or a variant listed above were:

Wilkinson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Wilkinson, surgeon who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607
John Wilkinson, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630 as part of the Winthrop Fleet.
Mr. John Wilkinson, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 13
Mrs. Prudence Wilkinson who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 14
Miss Sarah Wilkinson who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilkinson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Grace Wilkinson, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 15
Alice Wilkinson, who arrived in Carolina in 1724 15
Mary Wilkinson, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1767 15
Daniel Wilkinson, who arrived in New York in 1775 15

Wilkinson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Wilkinson, who landed in America in 1806 15
Alexander Wilkinson, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 15
Richard Wilkinson, aged 38, who arrived in Maine in 1812 15
Samuel Wilkinson, aged 29, who arrived in New York in 1812 15
John Wilkinson, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1822 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilkinson migration to Canada +

Wilkinson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Henry Wilkinson, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Frans Wilkinson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1774
Thomas Wilkinson with his wife and child settled in Nova Scotia in 1774
Mr. John Wilkinson U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 224 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 16
Capt. Richard Wilkinson U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1786 16

Wilkinson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Cornelius Wilkinson was married in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1815 17
Miss. Sarah Wilkinson who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wakefield" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle on 4th July 1847 18

Wilkinson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. John Wilkinson, (1766 - 1839), aged 23, British settler convicted at London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing clothes, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Mr. James Wilkinson, (d. 1790), British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13

Second Fleet

Miss Hannah Wilkinson, (Anna), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing shoes, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Miss Mary Ann Wilkinson, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. John Wilkinson, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in Worcestershire, England in 1790, sentenced to Life for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13

Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Wilkinson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Wilkinson, British convict who was convicted in Northampton, Northamptsonshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Mr. Henry Wilkinson, British settler who was convicted in Yorkshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. Peter Wilkinson, British settler who was convicted in Lancashire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. Ralph Wilkinson, (Ganway, Joseph Bolsove Stanway), English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
Mr. Thomas Wilkinson, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilkinson 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:

Wilkinson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

E Wilkinson, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1837
Johnson B. Wilkinson, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
Ann Wilkinson, aged 22, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
Mr. David Wilkinson, (b. 1812), aged 28, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Olympus" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th April 1841 22
Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson, (b. 1817), aged 23, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Olympus" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th April 1841 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wilkinson 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. 23

Wilkinson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Edward Wilkinson, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 24
Mr. Mathew Wilkinson, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 25
Elizabeth Wilkinson, aged 21, who arrived in Jamaica in 1684 15

Contemporary Notables of the name Wilkinson (post 1700) +

Doris Yvonne Wilkinson (1936-2024), American sociologist from Lexington, Kentucky, the first African American to graduate from the University of Kentucky in 1958
Dorothy Elsie Wilkinson (1921-2023), American former softball player and bowler, inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1970, inducted into the International Bowling Hall of Fame in 1990
Leland Wilkinson (1944-2021), American statistician and computer scientist at H2O.ai and Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at University of Illinois at Chicago
Robert Raymond "Bob" Wilkinson (1927-2016), American NFL football end for the New York Giants (1951-1952)
Richard Warren "Buzzy" Wilkinson (1932-2016), American NBA basketball player
Adrienne Marie Wilkinson (b. 1977), American actress
J Harvie Wilkinson III (b. 1944), American judge, chief judge of US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1996-2003)
David Todd Wilkinson (1935-2002), American cosmologist, Chairman of the Physics Department at Princeton University (1987-1990)
James Wilkinson (1757-1825), American general
... (Another 29 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Wilkinson family +

Cataraqui

Richard Wilkinson, British crew who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Mr. Alexander MacKay Wilkinson (1906-1941), Australian Lieutenant-Commander from Mosman, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 26
Mr. Stanley Wilkinson (b. 1919), English Leading Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Bradford, Yorkshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 27
Mr. James W Wilkinson (b. 1918), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from East Retford, Nottinghamshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28
Mr. Frederick J R Wilkinson (b. 1924), English Boy 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28
... (Another 11 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Wilkinson 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: Non mihi sed tibi gloria
Motto Translation: Glory to thee, not to me.

Sources +

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Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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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
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 60)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
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New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
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