Find out how popular the last name Ackins is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ackins.

Ackins, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ackins surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Ackins in America

Ackins is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ackins surname appeared 105 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ackins.

The history of the last name Ackins

The surname Ackins finds its origins in England, primarily during the medieval period. This name is believed to be a diminutive or derivative of the personal name "Adam," which itself is of Hebrew origin, meaning "man" or "earth." The 'kins' suffix in medieval English culture often indicated "son of" or "little," inferring Ackins could be interpreted as "little Adam" or "son of Adam."

Historically, the surname Ackins emerged in regions such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. These areas were known for their blended Norse and Anglo-Saxon influences, a fact evident in the mixed linguistic roots of surnames from these regions. In old English records, similar spellings such as Atkins or Aikins can often be found, reflecting the fluidity and regional differences in spelling before standardized orthography was established.

One of the earliest references to a similar name is that of John Akyne, mentioned in a tax assessment document known as the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. This indicates that variants of Ackins were already in existence by the late 13th century. Manuscripts from the 14th century often included similar names, emphasizing its presence in medieval society.

The Ackins name continued to appear in various historical documents. Robert Ackins was recorded in the Poll Tax returns of Yorkshire in 1379. This illustrates that the surname was relatively common in Northern England at that time. A transition in spelling can be traced through documents over the centuries, showing variations such as Atkins and Akins.

Through the centuries, the name has been borne by several notable individuals. An early example includes Edward Ackins, a merchant who was active in Bristol's prominent trade networks during the 16th century and lived from 1510 to 1575.

Another historical figure is Thomas Ackins, an early settler in Jamestown, Virginia, in the early 17th century. He was part of the wave of English migration to the American colonies, seeking new opportunities in the New World around 1620.

Moving into the 18th century, Elizabeth Ackins gained some recognition as a writer and poet in London. Her work, part of the literary circles from 1740 to 1785, provides insights into the cultural milieu of that period.

In the 19th century, John Ackins was a noted figure during the Industrial Revolution, an inventor credited with several innovations in textile machinery in Manchester, operating between 1820 and 1885.

Silas Ackins served as a notable Canadian politician in the mid-19th century. He was active during the formation of Canadian confederation, holding office from 1845 to 1875.

The surname Ackins, though lesser-known today compared to its variants, has roots dating back several centuries. Its history, interwoven with the narratives of the individuals who bore it, reflects the evolution of English surnames from diminutive and patronymic forms to distinguishing family names.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ackins

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ackins.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ackins was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ackins was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ackins, please contact us.

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