Surname Calkin - Meaning and Origin
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Calkin: What does the surname Calkin mean?
The surname Calkin is primarily of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have been derived from a professional trade. In medieval times, it could have been associated with someone who made or sold 'calkins' or 'calkers', which are sharp objects or spikes fixed to horseshoes to prevent the horse from slipping. In this context, the name is occupational, similar to Baker or Smith. The name is found in various forms, such as Calking, Caulkin, Calken, and others. Over the years, as people moved around, spellings would often change to suit the local dialect. The surname was first found in Yorkshire in Northern England, indicating that it's originally from that region. It's important to note that the interpretation of surnames is speculative at best, as records from the time when surnames became hereditary are limited.
Order DNA origin analysisCalkin: Where does the name Calkin come from?
The surname Calkin is of English origin and dates back to the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The name is derived from the Old English given name 'Ceolwulf', which means 'keel wolf' or 'ship wolf'. The use of Calkin as a last name is considered patronymic, meaning it was formed by adding 'kin', an affectionate diminutive, to the father's name.
The initial spellings of the name included Calkin, Cawkin, and Caulkin, and the name holders may have been the first recording of an 'invented' surname in the history of England. Early examples of the surname recording include Jon Cawekyn in Northumberland in 1279 and Johannes Caulkyn in Yorkshire in 1379, pointing to the north of England as the probable origin.
Currently, the name Calkin is somewhat common in the United States, England, and Canada. Some variations of the surname, like Caulkins, are also quite common. The highest concentration of the Calkin surname can be found in the United States, particularly the North East region, and is less common in other English-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Calkin
The surname Calkin is of English origin. It was derived from the Old English word "calcen", meaning "a chalky area" and was originally given as a geographical surname to people who lived in chalky regions. This surname has seen a variety of spellings throughout history due to the phonetic nature of its spelling. Some of these variant spellings include Cawkin, Calken, Calkins, Carking, Calken, Calkyn, and Caulkin.
The usage of spelling variants was common in medieval times due to the absence of distinct spelling rules. Over time, these different spellings were inherited by different family branches, leading to the creation of separate surnames over generations. Therefore, people with surnames like Calkins, Cawkin, and others could share a common ancestor with the original Calkin family.
Another variant of the Calkin surname is Kalkin, which is a result of phonetic transliteration from certain non-English languages. For instance, in countries like Germany, where the "C" sound is often replaced with "K", Calkin could become Kalkin.
Furthermore, a surname closely associated with Calkin is Caulkin, an anglicized form of an Irish surname Ó Cadhla, whose descendant may have been referred to as 'Caulkin' due to its phonetic similarity.
Famous people with the name Calkin
- Hugh Calkin: British cardiologist known for his work in the field of atrial fibrillation and biventricular pacing.
- Neil Calkin: Renowned American mathematician, co-namer of the 'Calkin-Wilf tree' which provides every positive rational number exactly once.
- Kevin Calkin: Prominent mathematician and a faculty member at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
- Marguerite Calkins: Famous American botanical illustrator known for her detailed watercolor paintings in the early 20th century.
- Jon Calkins: Notable figure in the broadcasting media industry, he was the executive producer at ESPN and NBC Sports.
- Harold Calkins: Innovative architect during the early 20th century.
- Roger Calkins: Famous American rower who competed in the Summer Olympics in 1968.
- Josiah Calkin: came to prominence as the mayor of Providence, Rhode Island in the late 1800s.
- Todd Calkin: Notable software engineer and executive at tech companies like Amazon.
- Nellie Calkins: Early pioneer and female figure in the United States Forest Service. This is not an exhaustive list and there may be other prominent individuals with the Calkin surname not included.