Surname Jenkinson - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Ancestry and Surname Origins with iGENEA DNA Test: An Insight into the Jenkinson Lineage

Exploring the world of genetical mapping via iGENEA DNA Test, I discovered a remarkable depth of information about my lineage. The accuracy of the results, tracking my genetic makeup across different geographical regions and historical periods, was impressive. More than that, I unearthed intriguing historical associations and origins of the Jenkinson surname.

H. Jenkinson

Jenkinson: What does the surname Jenkinson mean?

The surname Jenkinson is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the personal name Jenkin, which was a common medieval given name. The name Jenkin is believed to be derived from the Welsh forename Einion and may have first been introduced to England with the Norman Conquest in 1066. Those bearing the name Jenkinson are thought to have been found originally in Lancashire and Cheshire.

In some cases, the surname Jenkinson may be derived from a patronymic form of the personal name Jenkin, that is, from a son of Jenkin. At the time of the British census of 1881, the frequency of the surname Jenkinson was highest in Lancashire.

The Jenkinson surname is believed to have had several variants, including Jenkins, Jenkyn, Jenkynson and Jenkenson. By the start of the 19th century, the Jenkinson spelling had been almost completely displaced by the Jenkins variant.

Those bearing this surname could have been found living and working as farmers, agricultural labourers or cordwainers in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the surname Jenkinson is still common in England, particularly in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire regions. It is also found in Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Jenkinson: Where does the name Jenkinson come from?

Jenkinson is a surname of British origin, most commonly found in the UK and in countries with historical connections to the British Isles. The Jenkinson surname originates from the personal name Jenkin, a medieval estate name usually given to someone living near a certain person or within a certain area. Still common today, the surname Jenkinson can be found in a variety of countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

In the United Kingdom, the frequency of the Jenkinson surname is highest in Buckinghamshire, where it ranks as the country's 78th most common surname. Jenkinson is particularly common in the South East of England in general, where it can also be found in Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and the City of London.

In the United States, Jenkinson is most commonly found in the Midwest and New England states. New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are home to a large percentage of the Jenkinson population, with the largest concentration of Jenkinsons found in California.

In Australia, Jenkinson is most commonly found in the state of South Australia, particularly in the city of Adelaide.

In all of these countries, the Jenkinson name continues to be passed down through many generations, making it a common, enduring surname.

Variations of the surname Jenkinson

Jenkinson is an English and Scottish surname. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Jenkinson include Jenkison, Jenkenson, Jenkisson, Jenckinson, Jenkisson, Jenksen, Jankison, Jankins, Jankinsen, Jankisson, and Jankins.

The prevalence of spelling variants is quite common, as Jenkinson is derived from a patronymic surname, such as Johnson. Patronymic surnames are derived from the personal name of the father or ancestor of the bearer. Old English and Old French, which are variations of Latin, were the languages primarily used in the Middle Ages, and common variations in spelling were caused by the lack of standard spelling rules at the time. Thus, it was common to have many variations or spellings of the same name.

Jenkinson was used as a given name long before it was used as a surname. The surname is primarily found in England and Scotland, stemming from the personal name of Jankin, a diminutive of the given name John. It is likely that the name originated in the northern part of England, as the Jenkinson name was found in Lancashire as early as the 1400s.

Given the popularity of John and other variations of the name in the Middle Ages, and the subsequent lack of standardization in spelling techniques, Jenkinson quickly evolved into many surname forms, some of which are seen today. The modern-day variants are indicative of its origin. These variants can be different due to minor spelling alterations, or major differences caused by geographical location. Though spelling variants are common, regardless of location, it is important to note that the original source of the surname is the same.

Famous people with the name Jenkinson

• Colin Jenkinson: Britain’s oldest man who joins the British Armed Forces at 94.
• Manya Jenkinson: British fashion designer, working in London fashion week.
• Chris Jenkinson: British sports personality who has survived three separate cancer diagnoses.
• Paul Jenkinson: British actor, best known for his work in EastEnders and Doctor Who.
• Jack Jenkinson: British racecar driver and three-time winner of the British Grand Prix.
• Angela Jenkinson: British radio and television presenter, best known for presenting BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
• Tina Jenkinson: British Paralympic athlete who won gold in the 1984 Summer Paralympics.
• Owen Jenkinson: British race car driver, four-time winner of the European Grand Prix Championship series.
• Peter Jenkinson: British war hero who received a Victoria Cross for his service in World War II.
• Alex Jenkinson: British historian and professor, who has written extensively on the history of the British Isles.

Other surnames

Jenkins