Surname Dorkins - Meaning and Origin

Dorkins: What does the surname Dorkins mean?

The last name Dorkins is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a topographic surname, which was given to someone who lived near a prominent hill or dune. The name is derived from the Middle English word ‘durn,’ or perhaps the Old Engish ‘dūn’ meaning such a geographical feature. The spelling variation ‘Dorkin’ is also common, as is the alternative spelling ‘Dorken’.

Surnames of this type were created when and for former inhabitants of a place who moved to another area, usually to seek work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. During the Middle Ages, people often identified their homeland by the name of the nearest distinctive physical feature, such as a hill, dune, pond or stream. Surnames that originated in this way were often regarded as descriptive, as they were derived from the distinctive landscape nearby.

The last name Dorkins is found most commonly in England today, as well as in other English-speaking countries across the world. It is also found in its many spelling variations, such as Dorkin, Dorkin, and Dorken. It is thought that the earliest example of the name dates back to the 1100s, with reference to a certain Robert de Durnicial or de Durncin in 1273 and to a William de Dorkenhevede in the 1278 Calendar of Patent Rolls.

The name is also found in various records throughout the centuries, ranging from the Farwell Pedigree (1771) in Yorkshire to the Apprentices of London (1710). The earliest known presence of the last name Dorkins dates back to the 16th century, with the baptism of John Druckins on June 24th 1549, in Stepney, London.

Dorkins: Where does the name Dorkins come from?

The last name Dorkins is mainly found in England today. It is predominantly a British name, although there are around 50 families of this name scattered around the world. In England, the name is mainly concentrated in the East and South East of the country; particularly in London, Essex, Kent and Sussex.

The origin of the name is thought to be from the Middle English word ‘Dorkin’, which was used to refer to someone with an ungainly, clumsy gait. It became a surname in the 15th century and was in use in the areas of London, Surrey, Essex and Sussex in this period.

The family tree of the Dorkins is well documented from the mid 16th Century, when the spelling of the name changed to Dorkyns. The family was scattered across the UK, and further afield.

Today, the most popular place for the name is London, with some records also dating back to the Islington region in 1429. There are also records of the name in the 19th Century in Yorkshire.

In the US, the name is less prevalent, however, it is to be found in Virginia and Pennsylvania in particular. There are also records of the name in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India.

Overall, the Dorkins family is spread far and wide, however, the majority of families with this name today can be found in England.

Variations of the surname Dorkins

The surname Dorkins has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Dorken, Dorkin, and Dorking. Other spellings include Dorkyn, Dorkyns, Dorkynne, and Dorkynnes.

Variants originating from outside the British Isles include Dorkens, Dorker, Dorkers, Dorch, Theorcken, and Theorckens.

There are also smaller variations in the spelling of the surname Dorkins. These spellings include D'Orconi, d'Orconn, Dorken, Dorkens, Dorker, Dorkers, Dorking, Dorkins, Dorkyn, Dorkyns, Dorkynne, and Dorkynnes.

The surnames of the same origin as Dorkins can be found in various parts of the British Isles, including Northern and Eastern England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. including the Scottish Border area.

Surnames of the same origin include Darke, Darkes, Darkin, Darkins, Dawkin, Dawkings, Dunnkin, Dunning, and Dunnings.

Overall, the surname Dorkins has a range of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin which provide evidence of the shared history of the surname across different parts of the British Isles.

Famous people with the name Dorkins

• Linford Dorkins: British indie film director and producer, known for "A Family Affair" and "High Summer".
• Barnaby Dorkins: British journalist, columnist and author of "The Secrets of High Society" and "Inside the Royal Circle".
• Oliver Dorkins: British actor and comedian, known for appearances on BBC 3's "The Revolution Will Be Televised".
• Bridgitta Dorkins: German born celebrity chef, best known for her show "Taste Germany" on the Food Network.
• Henry Dorkins: English actor, best known for role in "The Tipping Point".
• Brian Dorkins: Canadian actor and writer, best known for his roles in "Degrassi: The Next Generation" and the television movie "A Miracle on Christmas Eve".
• Dorothy Dorkins: British author, best known for her children's books "The Adventures of Bella" and "Canterbury Tales".
• Mary Dorkins: American television producer and writer, best known for her work on The Simpsons, Futurama and King of the Hill.
• Juliet Dorkins: Australian singer and songwriter, best known for her single "Fade Away".
• Michael Dorkins: British historian and professor, known for his books on the history of England.

Other surnames

Dorkin