Surname Harkins - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Harkins Family History: An Enlightening DNA Journey with iGENEA

Embarking on a journey of familial discovery with iGENEA allowed me to delve deeper into the roots of my Harkins family name. Originating from an ancient Irish clan, my Harkins lineage traced its roots back to County Donegal, Ireland. Immersing myself in this history expanded my understanding of my family’s heritage and added substantial depth to my personal identity. Discovering inherent bonds of family lineage with a simple DNA test, was both fascinating and enlightening.

H. Harkins

Harkins: What does the surname Harkins mean?

The surname Harkins is an anglicization of the Gaelic O'hEarcáin, derived from a diminutive form of "earc", which means "red". Thus, it might have originally represented a nickname for a red-haired person. The name originated in Donegal County in Ireland and continues to be most common there. The surname, along with its variants, has spread globally through migration and is now found in many Western countries such as the United States and UK. However, it's important to remember that surnames can also be influenced by many factors including geographical locations, occupations, and personal characteristics, thus the meaning can vary. Notably, due to its origins, the surname Harkins is closely associated with Irish identity and heritage.

Harkins: Where does the name Harkins come from?

The surname Harkins is of Irish origin, specifically deriving from the Gaelic name Ó hEarcáin, which means a descendant of Earcán. In Gaelic, Earcán is a personal name that is believed to mean 'red'. During the Middle Ages, it was a fairly common name in the province of Ulster, in the northern part of Ireland. The name, in its variation of O'Harkin, is particularly associated with Inishowen, a peninsula in County Donegal, which is the northernmost part of Ireland.

Today, the surname Harkins is fairly widespread throughout many English-speaking parts of the world, as a result of the historic emigration, notably during the time of the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, when many Irish people moved to countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia to escape starvation. Similar to many other Irish surnames, while it remains common in Ireland, a significant number of people also bear the name in these countries influenced by the Irish diaspora.

Variations of the surname Harkins

The surname Harkins is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic Ó hEarcáin, meaning descendant of Ercán. Variants of the surname include Harkan, Harken, Harkin, and Harkon. Additionally, there could be anglicized versions such as Harkens or Hawkins, although Hawkins may have different origins as well.

The spelling of the name can also change, possibly due to the translation from Gaelic into English, leading to different versions such as Harkines, Harkins, Harkinson, and Harkinsons.

As a result of regional dialects and accents, the pronunciation of the name could vary, leading to differences in spelling. For example, someone with an accent may pronounce Harkins with a stronger 'e' sound, leading to the name being spelled as Harkens or Harkans. Although not common, these alternate spellings might be used by some families.

In the Irish language, the name could be written as Ó hEarcáin, O’Earcain or O'Harkin.

Sometimes, the 's' at the end of the name could be dropped, such as in the case of Harkin. Similarly, the prefix 'O' could also be added or removed from the name due to personal preference, leading to O'Harkins or O'Harkin.

In some cases, people could shorten the name to simply Hark.

Famous people with the name Harkins

• William Harkins, American actor.
• Brian Harkins, owner and operator of Harkins Builders & Roofers.
• George Harkins, American baseball player.
• E.G. Harkins, an American authors and editor.
• Jack Harkins, author of When the Sun Dies Down in the West.
• John Harkins, American actor.
• Edward A. Harkins, American banker.
• Martin Harkins, American playwright and producer.
• Robert Harkins, former Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.
• Bernie Harkins, former professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers.
• Thomas Harkins, medal of honor recipient for the Union Army.
• Pat Harkins, American basketball and football coach.
• Ovid Harkins Jr., American football player.
• J.P. Harkins, American racing driver.
• John Harkins Jr., American soccer coach.
• Thomas Harkins Jr., American lawyer and politician.
• Michael Harkins, American artist and sculptor.
• C.H. Harkins, American artist, printer, and university professor.
• Joe Harkins, American musician and composer.
• Laura Harkins, British animator and producer.

Other surnames

HarkieHarkinHarkingHarkingsHarkinsonHarkis