Show ContentsWilkink History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Wilkink arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Wilkink comes from the Norman personal name William, which is derived from the words will, meaning resolution and helm, meaning armed. 1 2

Early Origins of the Wilkink family

The surname Wilkink was first found in Glamorganshire where they held a family seat from early times. They were descended from Robert de Wintona, one of twelve knights who came into Glamorgan with Robert Fitzhamon, a Norman noble, in 1066. Fitzhamon was Sheriff of Kent and founder of Tewkesbury.

The Pipe Rolls for Northumberland list the name Wilechm in 1166 and later Wilekinus was found in the Hampshire Pipe Rills for 1191. Richard Wilekin was found in the Pipe Rolls for Hampshire in 1180 and William Wilekin in the Curia Regis Rolls for London in 1220. Roger Wylkyns was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire in 1327. 3

Early History of the Wilkink family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilkink research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1558, 1601, 1603, 1614, 1618, 1625, 1626, 1668, 1672, 1685, 1699 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Wilkink History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilkink Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Wilkins, Wilkin, Wilkines, Wilkyn, Wilking and others.

Early Notables of the Wilkink family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Wilkins FRS (1614-1672), an English clergyman, natural philosopher and author, founder of the Invisible College and one of the founders of the Royal Society, Bishop of Chester from 1668 until his death.Thomas Wilkins (1625 or 1626-1699), was a Welsh cleric and antiquarian; and George Wilkins (died 1618), was an English dramatist and pamphleteer best known for his probable collaboration with Shakespeare on the play Pericles, Prince of Tyre. An inn-keeper by profession, he may have been involved in criminal activities.David Wilkins (1685-1745), was an English...
Another 93 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wilkink Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wilkink family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Wilkink or a variant listed above: Nicholas Wilking, a juror of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1753; Maudlin Wilkin settled in Barbados in 1654; Bridget and John Wilkines settled in Virginia in 1623.



The Wilkink 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: Estote prudentes
Motto Translation: Be ye prudent.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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