Show ContentsJenkien History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Jenkien surname is derived from the Middle English given name Jenkin, which was in turn created from a diminutive of the name John, with the suffix "kin," added to the name. Generally, the Jenkin variant of this name came from the Devon-Cornwall region.

Early Origins of the Jenkien family

The surname Jenkien was first found in Sussex where Richard Janekyn was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Other early records of the name include Richard Jenkins, listed in the Somerset Subsidy Rolls in 1327, William Jonkyn, recorded in the "Calendar of Inquisitiones post mortem" in 1297, Alicia Jonkyn, listed in the Poll Tax of Yorkshire in 1379, well as William Jankins, recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327. 1

Early records in the parish of St. Columb, Cornwall note "Higher Trekyninge in the reign of Edward III. appears to have been in a divided state, between the Arundells and Hamleys. It was afterwards for several generations in the family of Jenkin, whose co-heiresses married St. Aubyn, Slanning, Carey, and Trelawney. It is now the property of Richard Rawe, Esq. The site on which the ancient mansion house stood, is supposed by Mr. Whitaker, from its name and concomitant circumstances, to have been the residence of an ancient Cornish king." 2

Early History of the Jenkien family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jenkien research. Another 173 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1565, 1584, 1598, 1601, 1602, 1607, 1613, 1656, 1672, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1678, 1680, 1681, 1685, 1689, 1727, 1731, 1739 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jenkien History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jenkien Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Jenkins, Jenkin, Jankins, Jenkynn, Jenkynns, Jenkyns, Jinkines, Jinkins, Jenkens, Junkin, Junkins, Jenkings and many more.

Early Notables of the Jenkien family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Jenkins (1598-1678), an English composer born in Maidstone, Kent, who served as a musician to the Royal and noble families and composed many pieces for strings. 3 William Jenkyn (1613-1685), was an...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jenkien Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Jenkien family to Ireland

Some of the Jenkien family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jenkien family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Jenkien or a variant listed above were: Oliver Jenkines, who came to Virginia in 1611; David Jinkins, who settled in Virginia, some time between the years 1654-1663; Walter Jenkyns, who settled in Virginia in 1635.



The Jenkien 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: Perge sed caute
Motto Translation: Advance but cautiously .


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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