Show ContentsConklin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Conklin family

The surname Conklin was first found in early documents where it was derived from the Dutch word "konkelen" which means "plot, intrigue, conspire."

Alternatively, the name could have originated from the root name "Con," which means "bold, wise, knowing, and klein, little or son." 1

Another source notes that name could denote a "descendant of the petty king or chieftain." 2

Early History of the Conklin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Conklin research. The years 1984 and 1991 are included under the topic Early Conklin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Conklin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Conklin, Conkling and others.

Early Notables of the Conklin family

From this era of Dutch history, those of this who distinguished themselves included

  • those who were listed in the 1984 edition of the Report of Distribution of Surnames in the Social Security Number File which lists the surnames Conklin and Conkling collectively as the 1,178th most po...
  • For more information about bearers of this name, try "The Conklin Family: Nicholas Conklin of Cochecton, New York, and his Descendants" compiled by Richard...

Conklin Ranking

In the United States, the name Conklin is the 1,378th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 3


United States Conklin migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Conklin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Ananias Conklin, who arrived in Salem, MA sometime between 1630 and 1640
  • Ananias Conklin, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1635-1637 4
Conklin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Betsey Conklin, aged 35, who arrived in America in 1821 4
  • Mr. Conklin, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1821 4
  • Betsey Conklin, who settled in New York, NY in 1821
  • D Conklin, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 4
  • J Conklin, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Conklin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Annie Conklin, aged 23, who landed in America from Tullamore, in 1903
  • Charles Treadwell Conklin, aged 35, who landed in America, in 1907
  • Almira Conklin, aged 50, who immigrated to the United States, in 1913
  • Edward Conklin, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1921

Canada Conklin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Conklin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Conklin, aka "Old John" U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 5
  • Mr. Samuel Conklin U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Conklin (post 1700) +

  • William T. Conklin (1908-1990), American politician, New York State Senator (1957-1965)
  • Roland Ray Conklin (1858-1938), American financier and real estate mogul
  • Harold Colyer Conklin (1926-2016), American anthropologist
  • Frankie Conklin (1960-2013), American cheer coach for the University of Memphis, he coached seven UCA national championships
  • Brigadier-General John French Conklin (1891-1973), American Chief of Personnel Division, Office of the Chief of Engineers (1947-1949) 6
  • George Emerson Conklin (1921-1942), American marine soldier, recipient of the Navy Cross, eponym of the USS Conklin (DE-439)
  • Cary Lee Conklin (b. 1968), former American NFL football quarterback
  • William Conklin (1872-1935), American silent film actor who appeared in 85 films
  • Edwin Grant Conklin (1863-1952), American biologist and zoologist
  • Heinie Conklin (1889-1959), American silent film actor who appeared in nearly 400 films
  • ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Conklin 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: Virtutis gloria merces
Motto Translation: Glory is the reward of valour.


Suggested Readings for the name Conklin +

  • The Conklin Family: Nicholas Conklin of Cochecton, New York, and His Descendants by Richard O. Eldred.

  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. 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)
  5. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  6. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 23) John Conklin. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Conklin/John_French/USA.html


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