Show ContentsBodkins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Bodkins finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a maker or seller of knives. The surname Bodkins comes from the Old English word bodkin, which is also spelled bodekin, and refers to a short, pointed weapon or dagger.

Early Origins of the Bodkins family

The surname Bodkins was first found in Kent, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Bodkins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bodkins research. Another 208 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1297, 1312, 1331, 1349, 1369, 1518, 1519, 1523, 1572, 1610, 1611, 1623, 1639, 1640, 1710, 1752 and 1779 are included under the topic Early Bodkins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bodkins Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Bodkins has been recorded under many different variations, including Badkin, Bodkin, Bodekin, Badekin, Bodekyn, Badekyn, Batekyn, Bodychen, Battkin and many more.

Early Notables of the Bodkins family

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

Ireland Migration of the Bodkins family to Ireland

Some of the Bodkins family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 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 Bodkins migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Bodkins or a variant listed above:

Bodkins Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Creo Bodkins, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 [1]


The Bodkins 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: Crom-a-Boo
Motto Translation: Crom for ever.


  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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