Atkins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England-Alt
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Atkins

What does the name Atkins mean?

The name Atkins is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived the personal name Adam. Atkins is a diminutive which means son of Adam. 1 2 3

"There is no need of course to prove this, but it is interesting to note the following: 'Adam le Fullere,' a citizen of London, is twice referred to as Adekin le Fullere (1073, Hundred Rolls)." 4

Early Origins of the Atkins family

The surname Atkins was first found in Norfolk where the name first appeared as a forename: Adekin filius Turst, in the Pipe Rolls of 1191. Later records show John Adekyn in Crowland, Cambridgeshire in 1296; William Atkyns in the Subsidy Rolls in Worcestershire in 1327; and John Adekynes in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 3

We find the first records of the family using the "E" prefix in Oxfordshire where Edekin Gomey was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. The same rolls also included an entry for Joan Edekin. Elena Edyknes was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. 3

Norfolk records show Geoffrey Adekyn there 10 Richard II (during the tenth year of Kind Richard II's reign.) 5 Again in Somerset, we found William Adekyn, 1 Edward III. 6

"Though not of early introduction it became well established in Ireland in the seventeenth century, especially in Cork where the Atkins family, who had come from Somerset, were prominent in the commercial life of the city; they also established themselves in the Youghal area." 7

"Atkins, Adkins. - A characteristic surname of the midland and eastern counties, being at present most relatively numerous in Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Lincolnshire. Its place is taken in the north of England by Atkinson. These names are regarded as diminutives of Adam." 8

Early History of the Atkins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Atkins research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1191, 1296, 1379, 1558, 1559, 1564, 1581, 1587, 1601, 1610, 1615, 1621, 1626, 1630, 1635, 1647, 1662, 1665, 1669, 1670, 1674, 1677, 1680, 1681, 1685, 1686, 1689, 1698, 1703, 1709, 1711 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Atkins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Atkins Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Atkins were recorded, including Adkin, Atkin, Atkins, Adekin, Adekyns, Adekyn, Adkins and many more.

Early Notables of the Atkins family

Richard Atkins (1559?-1581), English martyr, born at Ross in Herefordshire
Henry Atkins (1558-1635), English physician, born in 1558, son of Richard Atkins of Great Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire
William Atkins (1601-1681), an English Jesuit
Sir Jonathan Atkins (c. 1610-1703) English Governor of Guernsey (1665-1670) and Governor of Barbados (1674-1680.)

Atkins World Ranking

the United States, the name Atkins is the 500^th most popular surname with an estimated 57,201 people with that name. 9 However, in Australia, the name Atkins is ranked the 356^th most popular surname with an estimated 10,176 people with that name. 10 And in New Zealand, the name Atkins is the 469^th popular surname with an estimated 1,464 people with that name. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Atkins as 394^th with 16,356 people. 12

Migration of the Atkins family to Ireland

Some of the Atkins family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Atkins migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Atkins family emigrate to North America:

Atkins Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Atkins, who landed in Maine in 1607 14
Richard Atkins, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 14
Silvester Atkins, who landed in Virginia in 1621 14
Ritchard Atkins, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 14
Mr. Atkins, who landed in Virginia in 1622 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Atkins Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jonathan Atkins, who landed in Virginia in 1701 14
Eliza Atkins, who landed in Virginia in 1714 14
Edmund Atkins, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1734 14
Joseph Atkins, who arrived in Connecticut in 1739 14
Bartlett Atkins, who arrived in Virginia in 1779 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Atkins Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hugh Atkins, aged 31, who arrived in New York in 1812 14
Samuel Atkins, aged 26, who landed in Washington, DC in 1828 14
G Atkins, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 14
Flizabeth Atkins, aged 2, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 14
W T Atkins, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Atkins migration to Canada +

Atkins Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Atkins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
James Atkins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Atkins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Andrew Atkins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Humphrey Atkins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750

Atkins Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Guy Jerome Atkins, who arrived in Canada in 1835

Atkins Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

H Atkins, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Atkins migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. William Atkins, British settler convicted in Northamptonshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Miss Violetta Atkins, (d. 1789), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, she died prior to boarding 14

Second Fleet

Mr. John Atkins, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Mr. Joseph Atkins, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14

Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Atkins Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Atkins, British Convict who was convicted in New Romney, Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Miss Louisa Atkins, (Louise, Ann), (b. 1800), aged 14, English servant who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Broxbournebury" in January 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Richard Atkins, English convict who was convicted in Northampton, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Thomas Atkins, (b. 1794), aged 25, English gardener who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1870 18
Mr. John Atkins who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Atkins 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:

Atkins Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Atkins, aged 32, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
Jane Atkins, aged 28, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
Mr. Atkins, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mandarin" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th November 1843 20
Mrs Atkins, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mandarin" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th November 1843 20
Miss Atkins, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Mandarin" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th November 1843 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Atkins migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21

Atkins Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Robert Atkins, (b. 1612), aged 23, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 22
Mr. Thomas Atkins, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 23
Sir Jonathon Atkins who was Governor of Barbados in 1663
Hannah Atkins, aged 21, who arrived in Jamaica in 1683 14

Atkins Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Robert Atkins, who arrived in Jamaica in 1753 14

Contemporary Notables of the name Atkins (post 1700) +

Robert Lee "Bob" Atkins Jr. (1946-2020), American football defensive back in the National Football League
Pervis R. Atkins Jr. (1935-2017), American football player, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
James Atkins (1967-2016), American rock bassist for the rock band Hammerbox
Douglas Leon "Doug" Atkins (1930-2015), American football defensive end inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Robert Coleman Atkins (1930-2003), American physician and cardiologist, best known for the "Atkins Diet"
Corporal Thomas E Atkins (1921-1999), American Army soldier awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1945
Nicole Atkins (b. 1978), award-winning American singer-songwriter
Charles "Cholly" Atkins (1913-2003), American dancer and vaudeville performer
Chet Atkins (1924-2001), American Country music guitarist and producer
... (Another 63 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Atkins family +

HMS Hood

Mr. William E Atkins (b. 1916), English Chief Petty Officer Steward serving for the Royal Navy from Kensington, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
Mr. J Atkins, British Writer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. Ernest Balton Atkins (1895-1917), British Stoker 1st Class from Kent, who was aboard the ship "HMS Vanguard" when she exploded in the Scapa Flow off the Orkney Islands, Scotland on 9th July 1917
Mr. Gerald Arthur Atkins, American Hospital Apprentice First Class from Nebraska, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 26

The Atkins 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: Vincit cum legibus arma
Motto Translation: He wins over violence with laws

Sources +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Dixon, Bernard Homer, Surnames. London: John Wilson and son, 1857. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/broxbournebury
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html