Show ContentsOskyns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Oskyns is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the name Os, which is a short form for several personal names, including Osgod, Osbeorn, and Osmær. Os is supplemented by the common diminutive suffix -kin. While early records almost all include the "O" prefix, over the years this was dropped and now we typically find the name with an "H" prefix. One source notes that the name could have been derived from the Dutch personal name, Huskens. 1

Early Origins of the Oskyns family

The surname Oskyns was first found in Lancashire at Heskin, a township, in the parish of Eccleston, union of Chorley, hundred of Leyland. "Heskin being a joint manor with Eccleston, descended with it from the Gernets and Dacres to the family of Molyneux, of Sefton." 2

Early London rolls included the two earliest records of the family. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1274 listed Osekin (without surname) and Robert Osekin. 3 4

Peter Osekyn was listed in the Feet of Fines of 1306 in Essex, and later Thomas Hoskyns was listed in Berkshire in 1463. 4

Early History of the Oskyns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oskyns research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1566, 1568, 1590, 1593, 1603, 1609, 1615, 1634, 1638, 1640, 1646, 1648, 1654, 1664, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1680, 1682, 1683, 1694, 1705, 1711, 1717, 1722, 1764 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Oskyns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Oskyns Spelling Variations

Oskyns has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Oskyns have been found, including Hoskins, Hoskin, Hosken, Hoskyne, Hoskyns, Haskin, Haskins, Hasken, Haskyne and many more.

Early Notables of the Oskyns family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • The Hoskyns of Harewood in the County of Hereford, is a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 18 December 1676 for Bennet Hoskyns, Member of Parliament for Wendover, Hereford and Heref...
  • This baronetcy includes in part: Sir Bennet Hoskyns, 1st Baronet (1609 - 1680) an English politician, Member of Parliament for Wendover in 1640; Hereford 1654 and (1646-1648); Sir John Hoskyns, 2nd Ba...

Migration of the Oskyns family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Oskynss to arrive on North American shores: Bartholomew Hoskins settled in Virginia in 1626; John Hoskins and his family settled in Nantasket in 1630; Nicholas Hoskins and his family settled in Virginia in 1623.



The Oskyns 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: Finem respice
Motto Translation: Consider the end


  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. 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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