Surname Elkings - Meaning and Origin
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Elkings: What does the surname Elkings mean?
The last name Elkings is said to be derived from the Old English personal name Ellic (or Elig) combined with the suffix "-ing". This suffix serves as an indicator that the surname originated from a place with which the bearer was associated, often where they were born or held land. It's very possible that Elking could have referred to the manor Lordship of "Elkington" in Warwickshire, England.
Other sources suggest the name is of Dutch origin and derived from the nickname given to someone who wore a steel helmet, known as "elkingskap" - literally "elk cap". This was later adapted to a surname by replacing -kap with -king.
The variations seen in the spellings of Elkings, including Elking and Elkins, suggest that the surname has been around from at least Medieval times. Later records of the name include records of one Lucia Elkings being baptised on July 30th 1587, at St Margaret's, Westminster, London, and the marriage of John Elkins and Agnes Smith on August 5th 1608 at the same church.
Today, Elkings is a common surname in Britain and many people with the last name trace their lineage back to the Medieval period. Despite its humble origins, the Elkings name has become an important part of British history and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisElkings: Where does the name Elkings come from?
The surname Elkings is most commonly found in the United States today. In the United States, Elkings is the 4,082nd most common surname and is primarily found in the states of Tennessee and Mississippi. It is also found in both England and Wales, but there are fewer than 400 people in the United Kingdom with the Elkings surname.
In the United States, the surname Elkings mainly originated in the south, primarily in Tennessee and Mississippi. There is not a great deal known about the origin of the name, but one likely theory is that it was an anglicised version of elk-en-ge, which mean elks’ meadow in Dutch. Some believe that it was given to people who lived near a meadow that was home to elk.
From records and research, it appears that the first person to have the surname Elkings in the United States was William Elkings in 1614. He was living in Jamestown, Virginia Colony. There are records of family members from his descendants living in the south during the 1700s, in places like North Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana.
Today, the Elkings surname is declining in popularity, as is common with many surnames in the United States. It is estimated that there are no more than 15,000 people in the United States today with the Elkings surname.
Variations of the surname Elkings
The surname Elkings has variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant of the Elkings surname is Elkington. Others include Elking, Elkens, Elkins, and Alfkings. Some sources suggest variants of Alikson and Aekelson, but there is less evidence to support these spellings.
The name appears to originate from a location in England - Kington in Herefordshire. It was first recorded in 1221 when a Ralph de Elkington was listed in The Placename of Herefordshire. Over time, this area became known as Elkington, with people bearing the name taking Elking, Elkington, and Elkins as their surnames.
The Elkington spelling has been adopted in many countries around the world, particularly in the United States. There are many Elkingtons listed in the US census records throughout the 19th and 20th century, suggesting that this variant of the surname is widely used.
Other spellings of the surname appear to be more localized. Elkins is generally considered an Americanized spelling of Elkington, whilst Elkens is found more regularly in Belgium. Alfkings and Alikson are less widely recognized spellings, and their origins are unclear. However, it is thought that they may be derivatives of Elkington, reflecting alterations of spelling over the centuries.
In sum, Elkings is believed to have originated from a location in England, with variants Elkington, Elking, Elkens, Elkins, Alfkings and Alikson all sharing this common heritage.
Famous people with the name Elkings
- Anna Elking: professional soccer player
- Benedict Elking: author and publisher
- Christina Elking: NBA analyst
- David Elking: awarded artist
- Edward Elking: philanthropist
- Fritz Elking: former professional football player
- Herbie Elking: Oscar-nominated set designer
- Irina Elking: historian
- Jacob Elking: NFL player
- Kiki Elking: actress
- Nick Elking: former professional tennis player
- Oakley Elking: professional skateboarder
- Peter Elking: chef, restaurateur, and television personality
- Robert Elking: comic book artist and author
- Sean Elking: rock musician
- Tyler Elking: Olympic long-distance runner
- Valeria Elking: businessperson
- Winston Elking: actor