Show ContentsHankins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The rich and ancient history of the Hankins family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from the baptismal name John, which was originally derived from the diminutive Johan-kin.

"The English form was Jankin or Jenkin, but Hankin, introduced from the Low Countries, gradually naturalized itself, though it never became actually English. 'Hankin Booby was a common name for a clown': Chappell's English Songs. 'Thus for her love and loss poor Hankin dies, His amorous soul down flies.': Musarum Deliciae, 1655." 1

Early Origins of the Hankins family

The surname Hankins was first found in Somerset, where Alexander Henekyng was listed there 1 Edward III (in the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 2

The early London registry Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum in Turri Londinesi listed Hanekin de Fine and the Munimenta Gildhallæ Londoniensis listed Hanekyn Jocelyn. 1

The Latin form of the name, Hankynus was listed in Oxfordshire in 1285 and in Cheshire, Hanekyn de London was listed there in 1300. Willelmus filius Hamekin was found in Lincolnshire in 1232. 3

Again in Cheshire, Hondekin the Barbur was listed in the Assize Rolls in 1286 and later, Hugh Hankyn was in the Subsidy Rolls in 1327. In Sussex, Thomas Hamekyng was listed there in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 3

Early History of the Hankins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hankins research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1761, 1782 and 1787 are included under the topic Early Hankins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hankins Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hankins have been found, including Hankin, Hankins, Hanking, Hankinson, Hanken and others.

Early Notables of the Hankins family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Samuel Hankinson...

Hankins Ranking

In the United States, the name Hankins is the 1,432nd most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 4


United States Hankins migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Hankins, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

Hankins Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Hankins moved to Virginia in 1652
  • Richard Hankins, who landed in Virginia in 1652 5
Hankins Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Y C Hankins, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
  • Bessie Hankins, aged 19, who landed in America from London, in 1899
Hankins Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Ellen M. Hankins, aged 27, who landed in America from London, in 1904
  • Fred Hankins, aged 21, who settled in America from Berrow, in 1904
  • Alfred Thomas Hankins, aged 32, who immigrated to America from Bristol, England, in 1914
  • Wallace Harry Hankins, who arrived in Alabama in 1917 5
  • Harvey Hankins, who settled in America, in 1919
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Hankins migration to Australia +

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

Hankins Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Hankins (post 1700) +

  • Jay Nelson Hankins (1935-2020), American Major League Baseball player who played two seasons for the Kansas City Athletics
  • Abraham P. Hankins (1900-1963), American modernist painter
  • Donald Wayne "Don" Hankins (1902-1963), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers in 1927
  • James Hankins (b. 1955), American intellectual historian specializing in the Italian Renaissance
  • Cecil O. Hankins (1922-2002), American basketball and football player who played from 1946 to 1948
  • Johnathan "Big Hank" Hankins (b. 1992), American NFL football defensive tackle for the New York Giants
  • Freeman Hankins (1917-1988), American politician, former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate (1967-1988)
  • Antthony Mark Hankins, American fashion designer who founded Antthony Mark Hankins Inc. in 1994
  • Larry Hankins (b. 1940), American actor, performer, director and producer
  • Frank Hamilton Hankins (1877-1970), American sociologist and anthropologist
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Hankins 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: Vi et animo
Motto Translation: By strength and courage.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. 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.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. 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)
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant


Houseofnames.com on Facebook