First composed in the countryside now known as Wales, the ancient name of Wattkenson began its life as a name for a the personal name Walter. The surname Wattkenson is derived from the pet form Wat, which is supplemented by the common diminutive suffix -kin and the patronymic suffix -son, which superseded other patronymic suffixes during the 14th century.
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Early Origins of the Wattkenson family
The surname Wattkenson was first found in Yorkshire, at Beeston and Ilkley where they held a family seat from ancient times undoubtedly related to the Welsh Watkins of Pennoyre in Breconshire.
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Early History of the Wattkenson family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wattkenson research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1665 and 1780 are included under the topic Early Wattkenson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Wattkenson Spelling Variations
There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Wattkenson have included Watkinson, Watkisson, Watkynson, Wattkinson, Waytkinson, Waytekinson, Waitkinson, Watkenson and many more.
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Early Notables of the Wattkenson family
More information is included under the topic Early Wattkenson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Wattkenson family
During the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Wattkenson: Elizabeth Watkinson settled in New England in 1718; John Watkinson settled in Barbados in 1634; John Watkinson settled in New York state in 1774; Elizabeth settled in New York State in 1820 along with Thomas, Peter and Maria..
Wales
