Hawkins Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Hawkins surname: its meaning, its roots in England, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Hawkins name
Hawkins is a patronymic from the medieval personal name Hawkin, a pet form of Hawk, from Old English hafoc, "hawk", with the suffix -kin. Hawk was given as a nickname to a keen-eyed or fierce man, or to one who trained hawks. The name is most common in the south-west and the Midlands. Sir John Hawkins of Plymouth was one of the leading Elizabethan seamen.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Hawkins name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Hawkins name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched Hawkins pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Hawkins coat of arms.
Hawkins name FAQ
What does the Hawkins name mean?
Son of Hawkin ("little hawk"). Common variants include Hawkin, Haukins, Hawkens.
Where does the Hawkins surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Hawkins coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Hawkins crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Hawkins coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.