Show ContentsAttkinson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Attkinson surname was patronymic name created from Atkin, a Middle English personal name, which was one of the many pet forms of Adam.

Early Origins of the Attkinson family

The surname Attkinson was first found in the counties of Northumberland and Cumberland where they held a family seat from ancient times long before the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name was derived from Atkin and Adkin.

Early History of the Attkinson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Attkinson research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1702, 1861, 1890 and 1910 are included under the topic Early Attkinson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Attkinson Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Attkinson occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Atkinson, Aitkinson, Atkenson, Aitkenson, Atkington, Attkinson and many more.

Early Notables of the Attkinson family

More information is included under the topic Early Attkinson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Attkinson family to Ireland

Some of the Attkinson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Attkinson migration to the United States +

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Attkinson, or a spelling variation of the surname include:

Attkinson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Attkinson, who arrived in Maryland in 1672 1
  • James Attkinson, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1682 1
  • brims Attkinson, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1682 1
Attkinson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Attkinson, who landed in Virginia in 1722 1


The Attkinson 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: Esperance en Dieu
Motto Translation: Hope in God.


  1. 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)


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