Surname Lumpkins - Meaning and Origin

Lumpkins: What does the surname Lumpkins mean?

Lumpkins is an English surname that has been found in various regions, particularly in Yorkshire. The origin of the name is somewhat unclear, but it belongs to the category of last names derived from nicknames. One popular theory is that it originates from a diminutive of the medieval nickname "Lump," which might have been used affectionally to refer to a heavy or plump person. The "-kins" part was a common way of forming a diminutive, typically used to signify "the little one". Therefore, Lumpkins could mean "little lump", often referring to a small, stout, or plump person.

However, the meaning of surnames can vary greatly and they often evolved from a variety of sources such as geographical location, occupation, father's name, or a personal characteristic. It’s also important to note that while these interpretations might have been accurate hundreds of years ago when these surnames were first coined, they no longer hold significant implications about one's personal attributes today. As with many surnames, stories, and contexts may vary, and deep research may reveal more specific and situational meanings.

Lumpkins: Where does the name Lumpkins come from?

The surname Lumpkins is of English origin, deriving from the given name "Lambkin". The name Lambkin is formed from a pet form of the Old English personal name "Lambert" or "Lamb" with the addition of "kin", a diminutive suffix.

Adding "s" to the end signifies "son of", hence Lumpkins essentially means "son of Lambkin". It is predominantly found in the region of Northern England. The first recorded spelling belonged to Robert Lambekyn in Yorkshire in 1301, according to early English records. The name later mutated into different variations including Lumpkin and Lumpkins.

In contemporary times, the surname Lumpkins is fairly uncommon globally and is distributed unevenly. However, it is more significantly found in the United States. According to the 2000 US Census, the relative frequency of the Lumpkins surname was highest in Mississippi, followed by Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia. Despite this, it still ranks outside of the top 100,000 most common surnames in the US, indicating its overall rarity.

Variations of the surname Lumpkins

The surname Lumpkins has multiple variants and is characterized by variations in its spelling, which is common among surnames throughout history. These discrepancies in spelling likely resulted from phonetic variations and the way local dialects influenced the original spellings over time.

Different forms of the surname Lumpkins may include Lumpkin, Lumkin, Lumkins, Lumphin, and Lumphins. The -s at the end of the name is typically indicative of "son of," so Lumpkinson could also be a variant of the same surname.

Derived from an Old English personal name, the surname Lumpkins is also considered to be the Americanized form of the German name Lamprecht. Historical records show that several Lumpkins may have changed their surname to Lamprecht (or vice versa) upon immigration to or from the United States.

It should be noted that due to varying levels of literacy and the cultural melting pot that characterizes societies, surnames were often adapted, simplified, or completely changed, making it challenging to capture all possible variants and derivations of the name Lumpkins.

Famous people with the name Lumpkins

• Lamar Lumpkins: professional American football fullback.
• Kyle Lumpkins: American judo athlete.
• Gregory Lumpkins: professional basketball player.
• Bruce Lumpkins: former NFL defensive back.
• Bully Lumpkins: American football player.
• Yolanda Lumpkins: professional basketball player.
• Nancy Lumpkins: American actress and comedian.
• Michael Lumpkins: professional pool player.
• Janie Lumpkins: American television news anchor.
• Oscie Lumpkins: professional footballer.
• Jeannette Lumpkins: American opera singer.
• Deon Lumpkins: professional Motocross racer.
• Craig Lumpkins: former American baseball player.
• Everlast Lumpkins: American author and public speaker.
• Cameron Lumpkins: American artist and sculptor.

Other surnames

Lumpkin