Surname Dickins - Meaning and Origin
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Dickins: What does the surname Dickins mean?
The surname Dickins is of medieval English origin. It is a pet form of the male personal name "Dick," a diminutive of Richard. The suffix "-ins" signifies "little", hence the translation would be "Little Richard" or "Dick's son." Richard comes from the old Germanic name "Ric-hard", where "ric" means power or ruler, and "hard" means hardy, brave or strong. Therefore, Richard means "powerful," "brave ruler" or "hardy power." The surname, Dickins, could also suggest a patronymic relationship, indicating "son of Dick." Surnames were often derived from a father's name during the Middle Ages as a means to distinguish between individuals with the same name. Despite the literal interpretations, the actual meaning can vary based on the lineage and history of the family possessing the name. The surname became famous due to Charles Dickens, the renowned author of classics like 'A Tale of Two Cities,' 'Oliver Twist,' and 'David Copperfield.' However, his last name is spelled with an extra 'e,' this spelling variant has the same meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisDickins: Where does the name Dickins come from?
The surname Dickins is of British origin, specifically from England. It is derived from the personal name Dick, which is a pet form of the name Richard, with the addition of the patronymic suffix "-ins" which means "son of". Therefore, the literal meaning of the surname Dickins is "son of Dick". The surname was first recorded in the 16th century in England. Like many other surnames, it spread to other countries and regions due to migration. Today, the surname Dickins is not common; however, it is mainly found in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It's also found in places like South Africa, where there was a history of British colonization. Despite this, the greatest concentration of individuals with the Dickins surname remains in England, especially in regions such as Kent, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. Famous bearers of this surname include English author Charles Dickens, albeit with a slight spelling difference.
Variations of the surname Dickins
The surname Dickins is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has many variations and similar surnames. Some of the most common variants include Dickinson, Diggins, Dickens, Deakins, Duckens, Ducens, Dickenson, Dickeson, and Dickason. Patronymic in nature, these surnames are derived from the personal name 'Dickin', a diminutively form of 'Dick', itself a common medieval pet form of 'Richard'.
The discrepancy in its spellings is attributed to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the court, church, and aristocracy in Medieval England were French and Latin, which is why such variations exist.
These names can be found in early English records in a variety of spelling forms. For example, John Dicconson was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1297, and Richard Dykynson was registered in the Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1327.
Despite the variations in its spelling, the derivation of this name from the longer 'Richard' gives a strong commonality to all its versions.
Famous people with the name Dickins
- Charles Dickens: The most famous person with this surname, Charles Dickens, was an English writer, generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works include, "A Christmas Carol," "Great Expectations," and "Oliver Twist."
- Monica Dickens: Granddaughter of Charles Dickens, Monica Dickens was a British author known for her semi-autobiographical novels.
- Gerald Dickens: A great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, Gerald Dickens, is a British actor who has performed one-man shows based on his ancestor's novels.
- Cedric Charles Dickens: The great-grandson of the novelist Charles Dickens, has written and edited books on various aspects of his great-grandfather's work.
- Mary Dickens: The eldest daughter of Charles Dickens who worked as his private secretary and lived with her father until his death. Please note that the correct spelling is "Dickens", and not "Dickins". Famous people with "Dickins" surname are not known. (Optional) The Dickins family includes Bruce Dickins, a British academic and archaeological scholar, and F.J. Harvey Darton and Dorothy M. Darton, both editors and authors in the field of children's literature.