Tonkin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


While surnames were well-known during the English medieval period, Cornish People originally used only a single name. The way in which hereditary surnames came into common use is interesting. Under the Feudal System of government, surnames evolved and they often reflected life on the manor and in the field. Patronymic surnames were derived from given names and were the predominant type of surname among the Celtic peoples of Britain. However, the people of Cornwall provide a surprising exception to this rule, and patronymic surnames are less common among them than other people of Celtic stock, such as their Welsh neighbors. This type of surname blended perfectly with the prevailing Feudal System. One feature that is occasionally found in Cornish surnames of this type is the suffix -oe or -ow; this is derived from the Cornish plural suffix -ow. is a patronymic surname that came from the ancient Aramaic personal name Teoma, meaning twin.

Early Origins of the Tonkin family

The surname Tonkin was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Tonkin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tonkin research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1652, 1678, 1701, 1702, 1711 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Tonkin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tonkin Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Tonkin, Tonkyn, Tonkeyne, Tonkyne and others.

Early Notables of the Tonkin family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Tonkin Ranking

In the United States, the name Tonkin is the 13,146th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Tonkin is ranked the 662nd most popular surname with an estimated 5,893 people with that name. 2


Tonkin migration to the United States +

A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Tonkin:

Tonkin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Tonkin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Tonkin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Tonkin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Tonkin Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Tonkin 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:

Tonkin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Tonkin (post 1700) +


The Tonkin 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: Kensol tra Tonkein ouna Diu mathern yn
Motto Translation: Before all things, Tonkin, fear God in the king.
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