Surname Hodgkins - Meaning and Origin
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Hodgkins: What does the surname Hodgkins mean?
The surname Hodgkins is of English origin and is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Hodge. Hodge is a medieval nickname for Roger, which itself is derived from the Germanic name Hrodger, composed of the elements "hrod" meaning "renown" and "geri" or "gari" meaning "spear." Thus, Hodgkins can be interpreted to mean "Son of Hodge" or "Son of Roger." As a surname, it dates back to the Middle Ages in England and became more popular during the period of British colonial expansion, spreading to various parts of the British Empire. It is also the name of a type of lymphoma (Hodgkin's lymphoma) discovered by the physician Thomas Hodgkin in the 19th century. Although the name has a British origin, it is now found in several different countries around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisHodgkins: Where does the name Hodgkins come from?
The last name Hodgkins is of English origin. It is a patronymic form of Hodgkin, a diminutive of Hodge, which itself is a medieval nickname form of the given name Roger. Hence, Hodgkins means 'son of Hodgkin'. This surname dates back to Middle Ages England and can be traced back to Yorkshire, where the first ever recordings were found in early church records and rolls. The first notable person bearing this surname was John Hodgkin who was recorded in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219.
Over time, it has dispersed across different regions due to colonization and migration. Presently, the highest concentration of people with the Hodgkins surname lives in England, particularly in the South West region. In the United States, this name is most commonly found in the states of Maine and New Hampshire. It is also somewhat common in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The spreading of this surname across the globe has been moderate; hence, even in the places where it is relatively common, it is not among the most common surnames.
Variations of the surname Hodgkins
The surname Hodgkins has several variants, spellings and related surnames that originated from the same root.
Variants include Hodgkinson, Hodgkiss, and Hodgkin. It originated from the English medieval given name 'Hodgekin', which in itself is a diminutive form of the name Roger. The "kin" part of the name is Old English and means 'son of' or 'relative of'.
Alternative spellings may include Hodskins, Hodskin, and Hodsken.
Hodgson is another related surname that also stems from 'Hodge', a pet form of Roger. Surnames like this were common in the middle ages as a way of distinguish people with the same first name.
In some cases, it may also be anglicized from Scandinavian names. In these cases, the name is derived from the Old Norse name Hrodgeir, which was brought to the British Isles by Norse settlers during the Viking invasions.
As with many surnames, regional and phonetic variations can often lead to a wide range of spellings and forms of the same name, including those mentioned above. Hodson and Hodgshon are also alternative forms of the same surname. It's also important to note that the use and recognition of these variants can vary widely in different countries, regions and communities.
Famous people with the name Hodgkins
- Thomas Hodgkins: an influential Welsh theologian, historian, and writer.
- Brooke Hodgkins: an actress, best known for her roles in the films,"America's Most Wanted", "Big Trouble in Little China" and "One LOVE".
- Bill Hodgkins: a former American American football player.
- Sir David Hodgkins: an English writer, benefactor of Christ's College in Cambridge University, philanthropist and military leader.
- Tony Hodgkins: a British actor, best known for playing roles in films such as "Brannigan" and "A Fish Called Wanda".
- Sarah Hodgkins: an English teacher and novelist, best known for her novels, "The Lord of Shadow Raven" and "The Dark Tower".
- Miles Hodgkins: a British musician and songwriter, best known for his work with the band "The Verve".
- John Hodgkins: an American politician, lawyer and professor, known for his role as the Senator from Maine.
- Leonard Hodgkins: a Canadian diplomat, and former ambassador to Cuba, Mexico, and Nigeria.
- Charles Hodgkins: a British physician, known for pioneering work in children's diseases.