|
![Show Contents]() Jenkyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Jenkyn surname has long been associated with Wales. This surname comes from the personal names Jen, Jan, and Jon, which are all forms of the name John. The surname Jenkyn also features the diminutive suffix -kin, which is commonly held to have been brought to Britain from the Netherlands as early as the 12th century, when it is found as a component of the surnames of some Flemish settlers. Generally, the Jenkin variant of this name came from the Devon-Cornwall region. Early Origins of the Jenkyn familyThe surname Jenkyn was first found in "South Wales and Monmouthshire, where it is very numerous. Like other Welsh names it has spread itself to the southward and eastward, though not nearly to the extent of some of the other common names of the Principality." "The usual explanation that Jenkins is a name of Flemish type, probably introduced by the Flemings who settled in numbers in South Wales in the reign of Henry I., is to some extent supported by the fact that the great home of the name is now in South Wales and Monmouthshire. It is singular, however, that the name, usually as Jenkin, should be numerous in Cornwall. Cornwall is very Welsh with reference to some of its most frequent names, such as Roberts, Phillips, Williams, Richards, Thomas, Jenkin, Harris, James, &c., which, in the intervening counties of Devon and Somerset are usually much less numerous. This close resemblance in family nomenclature between two isolated regions that possess a similar racial history is very remarkable." 1 Early History of the Jenkyn familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jenkyn research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1460, 1582, 1597, 1600, 1602, 1609, 1622, 1623, 1625, 1641, 1663, 1685, 1722, 1798 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jenkyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Jenkyn Spelling VariationsCompared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Jenkyn name over the years has been spelled Jenkins, Jenkin, Jankins, Jenkynn, Jenkynns, Jenkyns, Jinkines, Jinkins, Jenkens, Junkin, Junkins and many more. Early Notables of the Jenkyn familyProminent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was David Jenkins (1582-1663), Welsh judge and Royalist, "the son of Jenkin Richard of Hensol, in the parish of Pendeulwyn, Glamorganshire, where he was born in 1582. He became a commoner of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, in 1597, and took the degree of B.A. 4...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jenkyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Jenkyn family to Ireland
Some of the Jenkyn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Jenkyn migration to the United States | + |
The Welsh began to emigrate to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s in search of land, work, and freedom. Those that arrived helped shape the industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. The records regarding immigration and passenger show a number of people bearing the name Jenkyn:
Jenkyn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Mr. Richard J. Jenkyn, (b. 1868), aged 31, Cornish farmer travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 7th October 1899 en route to Crystal Falls, Michigan, USA 2
Jenkyn Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Mr. Stephen C. Jenkyn, (b. 1879), aged 24, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd May 1903 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 2
- Mr. Richard J. Jenkyn, (b. 1869), aged 36, Cornish carpenter from Penzance, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 30th January 1905 en route to Bisbee, Arizona, USA 2
| Jenkyn migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Jenkyn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Thomas Jenkyn, aged 22, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "William Prowse" 3
- Mrs. Jane Jenkyn, (b. 1834), aged 31, Cornish nursemaid, from Gwinear, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Hornet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 25th January 1865 4
- Miss Mary Jenkyn, (b. 1855), aged 10, Cornish settler, from Gwinear, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Hornet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 25th January 1865 4
- Miss Tabetha Jenkyn, (b. 1861), aged 4, Cornish settler, from Gwinear, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Hornet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 25th January 1865 4
- Mr. Enock Jenkyn, (b. 1842), aged 35, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Commonwealth" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 22nd June 1877 4
| Jenkyn 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: Jenkyn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- E. Jenkyn, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1869
| Contemporary Notables of the name Jenkyn (post 1700) | + |
- Jenkyn Beverley Smith FLSW, FRHistS, (1931-2024), published as J. Beverley Smith, a historian of medieval Wales
|
Jenkyn migration to the United States 
Jenkyn migration to Australia 
Jenkyn migration to New Zealand 
England
Wales
Ireland
