Surname Dawkin - Meaning and Origin

Dawkin: What does the surname Dawkin mean?

The last name Dawkin is of English origin. It is derived from the Norman personal name 'D'Ucquenin', which is believed to have been formed from a combination of the Germanic elements 'ucca' (meaning 'high') and 'berht' (meaning 'bright'). The Dawkin name is believed to have originally been Germanic in origin and gradually became English as it spread through Europe and the British Isles.

The Dawkin surname is a locational name referring to either Dawkin Hill in Dorset, England, or Dawkin in Derbyshire, England. The surname is also found in the United States, where it is believed to have been carried over by settlers of English descent.

People bearing the last name Dawkin have had a range of occupations and professions including blacksmiths, milliners, farmers, shepherds, merchants, and craftsmen. The Dawkin surname is associated with a strong sense of community and charity, and it is believed that this value was passed on from generation to generation.

In modern times, the last name Dawkin is still seen as a powerful and respected surname. It is a reminder of the loyalty, perseverance, and strength of character inherent in the Dawkin family line.

Dawkin: Where does the name Dawkin come from?

The last name Dawkin is most commonly found in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia. It is also found to a lesser extent in the United States, Canada, Ireland and South Africa.

The name Dawkin is derived from the Old English given name Dadi, which is thought to have come from the word for ‘father’. In some cases, the name may alternatively have come from the Old English ‘dohhed’, meaning ‘valley’.

Dawkin is one of the oldest of all surnames in England and has been documented as far back as 1176 in the Pipe Rolls of Wiltshire. It is most common in the south-eastern region of England, particularly in Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk.

In the 2001 UK Census, the most popular counties for the Dawkin surname were Hertfordshire (with 1,471, followed by Suffolk with 1,458 and Essex with 1,286.

In the United States, Dawkin is mostly concentrated in California, Florida, New York and Texas. Arizona, Michigan, and Georgia also have a notable presence.

The name is also uncommon in the rest of the world, though there are scattered families of Dawkin in New Zealand and Germany.

Variations of the surname Dawkin

Dawkin is a surname that originated in the British Isles, likely hailing from a place name located in Oxfordshire. The exact derivation of Dawkin is unclear, with some sources suggesting a connection to the Germanic name Dago, derived from meaning "day". The pronunciation of Dawkin is also uncertain, with some sources suggesting a phonetic pronunciation of “Dawk-in” while others advocating for a shorter pronunciation of “Doke-in”.

The variants, spellings, and surnames of Dawkin include Daakin, Dakin, Daekin, Dakyn, Dawken, Dawkenne, Dawkyn, Dakyns, Dakinne, Daken, Dawkyns, Dawkins, Dakin, Dakynne, Dahkin, Daikin, Daakyn, Daakinne, Daakins, Deakin, Deekin, Dekin, Dekyn, Dekyns, Dekynne, Doakin, Doomkin, Daekyns and Daekynne.

Dawkin is a relatively rare surname, though thousands of individuals bearing the name reside in the United Kingdom. In particular, the names Deakin, Dawken, Daakin, and Daikin are three of the most common variations of Dawkin.

The name Dawkin is also relatively widespread in other countries (particularly in New Zealand) as a result of British emigration, though this prevalence is much less prevalent than in the UK. In the United States, the most common variants of Dawkin are Daikin, Deakin and Dawked. Finally, in Australia, Daakin is the most commonly encountered variant of the name.

Famous people with the name Dawkin

• Richard Dawkins: British ethologist, evolutionary biologist, and author, who popularised the gene-centered view of evolution and introduced the term "meme" into the lexicon.
• Olivia Dawkins: American actress, model, and boxer.
• Lawrence M. Dawkins: American football player and coach who had a successful tenure as head coach of the University of Pittsburgh from 1975 to 1982.
• William Dawkins: English anthropologist and archaeologist who was among the first to introduce Darwin’s theories of evolution into the archaeological record.
• William Dawkin: English lawyer and politician who was a Member of Parliament for College as well as a Justice of the Peace for Northumberland.
• Kathy Dawkins: English actress and television presenter who was best known for her role in the sitcom 'The Upper Hand'.
• Pierce Dawkins: American businessman, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist who founded the venture capital firm Palm Ventures.
• John Dawkins: Australian politician who was the Finance Minister in the Hawke Government and the Education Minister under the Keating Government.
• Helen Dawkins: English stage and film actress notable for her roles in 'The Personal History of David Copperfield', 'Blithe Spirit', and 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes'.
• Robin Dawkins: British Royal Air Force officer who graduated from the Royal Air Force College Cranwell and was knighted for his services to air power.

Other surnames

DawkingDawkins