Show ContentsEakent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Eakent has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from the baptismal name for the son of Edward. This surname was a diminutive form of Ede-kin. 1

Early Origins of the Eakent family

The surname EaKent was first found in Oxfordshire where as a forename Edekin Gomey was recorded in the HUndrtedorum Rolls of 1297. The same rolls included an entry for Joan Edekin. Later, Elena Edkynes was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. 2

"Ekins was the name of a gentle family owning, in the 17th and 18th centuries, Favell manor and other properties in Northamptonshire, which were sold in 1814 for £23,970." 3

Early History of the Eakent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eakent research. Another 190 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1279, 1300, 1321, 1327, 1598, 1600, 1693, 1702, 1730, 1749, 1766, 1768, 1781, 1782, 1791, 1809, 1855 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Eakent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eakent Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Eakent include Eakin, Eakins, Ekins, Ekin, Eaking, Heakins and many more.

Early Notables of the Eakent family

Distinguished members of the family include Jeffrey Ekins (d. 1791), Dean of Carlisle, a native of Barton-Seagrave, Northamptonshire, of which parish his father, the Rev. Jeffery Ekins, M.A., was rector. He received his education at Eton, whence in 1749 he was elected to King's College, Cambridge, where he obtained a fellowship. He married in 1766 Anne, daughter of Philip Baker, Esq. of Colston, Wiltshire, and sister of the wife of his brother, John Ekins, Dean of Salisbury. 4Admiral Sir Charles Ekins (1768-1855), son of Dr. Jeffery Ekins [q. v.], Dean of...
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eakent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Eakent family to Ireland

Some of the Eakent family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the EaKent family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Jonathon Eakin, a merchant from Somerset, England, who arrived in Maryland in 1685; James Eakin made his home in the same state in 1759; Robert Eakin settled in New York in 1803.



  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. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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