Watkingson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Watkingson

What does the name Watkingson mean?

A product of the ancient Brythonic Celts of Wales, the name Watkingson, is from the personal name Walter. The surname Watkingson is derived from the pet form Wat, which is supplemented by the common diminutive suffix -kin.

Early Origins of the Watkingson family

The surname Watkingson was first found in Breconshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog), a traditional county in southern Wales, which takes its name from the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog (5th-10th centuries), where they held a family seat at Pennoyre from ancient times and early in the eleventh century branched to Llangorse in that same shire.

Early History of the Watkingson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Watkingson research. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1653, 1660, 1665 and 1670 are included under the topic Early Watkingson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Watkingson Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Watkingson has seen various spelling variations: Watkins, Watkyns, Watkens, Watkin and others.

Early Notables of the Watkingson family

Morgan Watkins (fl. 1653-1670), English Quaker from Herefordshire who was imprisoned in 1660 in St. Albans gaol and later twice in 1665. "He afterwards appears to have preached and been imprisoned in...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Watkingson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Watkingson family to Ireland

Some of the Watkingson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Watkingson family

The Welsh migration to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed greatly to its rapid development. These migrants were in search of land, work, and freedom. Those Welsh families that survived the long ocean journey were critical to the development of new industries and factories, and to the quick settlement of land. They also added to an ever-growing rich cultural heritage. A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Watkingson: Henry Watkins who was a fisherman of Little Harbour in Twillingate Newfoundland in 1814; Peregrine Watkines settled in Virginia in 1621; Evan Watkins settled in Virginia in 1622.

The Watkingson 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: Pen-aur-y-chalon Wir
Motto Translation: A golden head and true heart.