Family Name History
The English surname Watkins is patronymic in origin, being derived from the first name of a father or ancestor. the name is composed of Wat-kin, a diminutive of Walter, and thus, simply denotes “the son of Walter”. The actual word itself is a normanized version of an Old Germanic words meaning “rule army/people”. the form Watkins, or Watkin, has always been, it seems, a particularly popular surname in Wales, and it was considered a general favourite throughout England in the period in which a hereditary surnames system was eventually established.
Early instances of the name include a reference, in the Wardrobe account of Henry III (Nicholas’ N. Harris; Edit. 1830), to Walkin, son of Henry Balistarius; the Suffolk PUB, Rails in 1327, cites one John Watkyns, while the church register of P. Peter’s, Cornhill (1538-1771; Edit. by G.W.G. Levenson Cower) records the baptism, in 1547, of Jane Watkinnes.
With emigration in later centuries, the surname spread to North America. It, seems it was established there at quite an early age: one Arthur Watkyns, aged 25, who set sail for America in the “Peter Bonaventure” on the 3rd April, 1635, may be considered as among the founders of New England.
| Blazon of Arms | : Azure a fesse between three leopards’ faces jessant-de-lis or. |
| Translation | : The leopard swallowing a fleur-de-lis signifies the lion of English arms swallowing the lily of theFrench coat. This represented Edward III’s victorious campaigns in France. |
| Crest | : Out of an Eastern cornet or, a grffin’s head gules. |
| Translation | : The griffin denotes valour and vigilance. |
| MOTTO | : Vitae via virtus. |
| Translation | : Virtue is the way of life. |
Steve Watkins 