Surname Hawkyns - Meaning and Origin
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Hawkyns: What does the surname Hawkyns mean?
The surname Hawkyns is of Welsh and English origin. It is derived from the popular Welsh personal name Hywel, which means 'prominent' or 'eminent' in the Welsh language. The name was Anglicized to Howel and then morphed over time to give birth to versions like Hawkyn, and then Hawkyns, in keeping with the Welsh practice of adding 'yn' or 'yns' as a diminutive suffix to personal names. Hence, the name Hawkyns could mean 'little or young Howell'.
It's also worth noting that variations of Hawkyns include Hawkins, Hawkin, and Haakon, among others. In a broader interpretation, since 'Hawk' is also an English word for a breed of birds known for their hunting skills, Hawkyns might be representative of characteristics associated with a hawk such as being sharp, observant, or goal-oriented. But generally, it follows the first explanation as a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Howell.
Please note that the meanings of surnames can vary greatly based on geographical regions and historical contexts. This is a general interpretation and specific ancestry or detailed historical records research might provide a deeper or slightly different meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisHawkyns: Where does the name Hawkyns come from?
The last name Hawkyns is believed to originate from England, and it likely has its roots in the Middle Ages. It is considered a patronymic surname, derived from the personal name Hawk, a nickname for someone with a fierce, or 'hawk-like' temperament. The suffix “yns” or "ins" was added to convey “son of” or “descendant of." Therefore, Hawkyns means "son of Hawk."
Interestingly, the name gained significant popularity due to the notable admiral Sir John Hawkins (also spelled as Hawkyns) who was prominent during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and known for supporting the British navy against Spain in the 16th century.
Although it is not a widely common surname today, Hawkyns is still used by some families, particularly in England. There may also be a small spread across the countries of the British Commonwealth and in the United States due to historic migrations. Even so, compared to many other surnames, the prevalence of Hawkyns remains relatively rare worldwide.
Variations of the surname Hawkyns
The surname Hawkyns is of English origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same root. These include:
1. Hawkins - This is the most common variant and is widely used. It was developed from a medieval personal name "Hawk", derived from the Middle English "hauk", which means "falcon".
2. Hawkin - This is a less common variant, used predominantly in the United Kingdom.
3. Hawken - This surname is often used in the West Country of England, especially in Cornwall.
4. Hawkyn - This is a very rare variant of Hawkyns, more commonly used in the Medieval England.
5. Hawking - Though most commonly associated with the famous physicist Stephen Hawking, this form also originates from the same root.
6. Hawkes - This basename "Hawke" may also have been used as a nickname for someone with a "hawk-like" nature, or a metonymic occupational name for a "hawker" or "falconer".
7. Hawkens - This is another variant of the same surname, though less common.
8. Haukins - This variant can be found in old English records, suggesting it's an ancient spelling of the same surname.
Each of these surnames have possibly evolved due to regional accents, literacy levels, and personal preferences over time thereby contributing to their diverse spellings.
Famous people with the name Hawkyns
- Reginald Hawkyns: English pirate who died in battle in 1645.
- Thomas Hawkyns: English politician who served as Member of Parliament in 1640.
- Frances Hawkyns: an English actress from the 1700s known for her performances in Drury Lane and Theatre Royal.
- Robert Hawkyns: English actor who appeared in many Shakespeare-inspired plays.
- Jonathan Hawkyns: British soldier and member of the Grenadiers Guards regiment who died in World War I.
- Arthur Hawkyns: former Australian cricketer who represented his country in Test Match cricket.
- Eileen Hawkyns: English photograph and Royal Navy captain during World War II.
- Brian Hawkyns: English professor, poet, and author whose work focused on the intersection between Liberalism and Marxism.
- Catherine Hawkyns: American figure skater who competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Kenneth Hawkyns: British entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Hawkyns Charitable Foundation in 1987.